Sharing our experiences of parenting a child with a congenital heart defect
One of my day-to-day worries as a heart parent is trying to work out just how much exercise is safe for my heart child. I know that it is important for her to get a good amount of exercise, but I worry about her overexerting herself and potentially putting strain on her heart.  We have… Read More
I found out last night that Jessica’s cardiac consultant is retiring at the end of the year. It feels like a rug has been pulled out from underneath my feet. This is the consultant that diagnosed Jessica, the consultant that has been part of our journey from the very start. This is the consultant who… Read More
September is a very big month for us as a family – celebrating Jessica’s birthday and two of her heart days (one being on her birthday and the other just a week later). It’s a time when I find myself reflecting a lot about the journey we have been on as a family and the… Read More
There is a fear that lurks at the back of my mind. It is always there. Most days I can push it away, almost forget about but every so often, something will bring it back into sharp focus. Sometimes the triggers are completely unexpected – a photograph glimpsed, a line spoken in a movie, a… Read More
Darling Jessica, This time four years ago, we didn’t know if we would even have four days with you – to have been blessed with four years is just amazing. What a rollercoaster those four years have been with all your hospital stays and heart surgeries. You have been through so much in your four… Read More
Dear friends and family From the day we found out about Jessica’s heart condition, you have been there supporting us, encouraging us, praying for us. You have cried with us, held your breath in hope with us and celebrated each successful step of the journey with us. We were devastated and scared at the start,… Read More
The last month has given me a bit of a reminder of the uncertainty that comes with life as a heart family when Jessica’s sats were lower than normal at a routine community nurse visit, prompting an unexpected hospital visit the next day for a more in-depth check-up. Thankfully it seems to have been just… Read More