The two photos below were taken three years ago today. They capture some precious moments with Jessica as we prepared for her to go to theatre for the second time since she was born. I remember it like it was yesterday. The anxious waiting, not wanting to leave her cot for a moment. Wanting to spend as much time as we could with her, praying that all would be well. She was so awake and alert that morning, looking up at us so intently. I can still see that beautiful little face looking back at me. A precious moment together before the porters arrived to take her off to theatre.
We cried together for a moment after Jessica had disappeared from sight and then headed off to the hospital chapel to light a candle and pray. We lingered in the canteen afterwards, trying to eat something, trying to fill the time somehow. I remember the heart-stopping moment when my phone rang with a hospital phone number. It had been just over an hour after Jessica had gone to theatre. It was too soon to be telling us the surgery had finished. Too soon to tell us she was back on PICU. I can still feel that chill and fear in my heart as I answered the phone. The overwhelming relief when it turned out to be one of the midwives. Just a routine call to check if I needed a postnatal visit.
The call we were waiting for came a couple of hours later. The surgery had gone well and Jessica was back on PICU.
I’ve been revisiting a lot of memories over the last week as Jessica has recently turned three. My timehop has been full of photos and blog updates from those early days in PICU. We’ve celebrated two of Jessica’s ‘heart days’ in the last week or so. The first was on her birthday as her first open heart surgery was carried out on the day she was born. The second is today – the date that the second part of her hybrid procedure was carried out.
Reading back through my blog updates back then reminds me of what a rollercoaster those early weeks were. We clung to every precious moment we could get with our baby girl and every shred of hope we could hold on to. That first day especially stands out in my mind. The overwhelming joy when I heard her first cry as she was born. The fear of whether she would get through her surgery. An endless wait for news, trying to fill the hours, praying desperately that all would go well. Our joy at being able to see her on PICU late that night after her surgery and the relief that she had got through her first open-heart surgery.
The emptiness I felt leaving her there and returning to the maternity hospital across the road. Thankfully we had a single room where my husband could stay overnight with me. I missed my bump, missed those little movements, missed my baby desperately. Being separated from your newborn baby is the most unnatural thing in the world. I remember phoning PICU very early the next morning to see how Jessica was, eager to go back and be with her.
In many ways those scary days feel like a dream when I look at Jessica now. She is doing so well and appears to be so healthy. We are truly thankful to have come this far. Yet with the joy and celebration of marking another birthday, another milestone, comes that tinge of anxiety beneath the surface. The thoughts that I push away on a day-to-day basis are harder to ignore.
I know that we will have to relive that rollercoaster ride again as Jessica will need her next stage operation in the not-too-distant future. However, she will need another cardiac catheter procedure beforehand to check how her pulmonary arteries are growing. At present there are no plans for this to take place until next year. We hope that the next major surgery is still at least a year away but those moments are starting to feel extra-precious once again.
My goodness, what an incredibly hard time that must have been for you. What a beautiful title girl x
It was quite a rollercoaster ride – it is such a blessing to see how well she is doing now x
That must have been a truly difficult time for you, it must’ve been incredibly nerve wracking waiting for the news that she was okay and you could visit her again. Popping in from What’s the Story.
It was quite a rollercoaster ride – such a huge relief when we got that call to say that all went well x
When I first started reading this, at the back of my head, I kept thinking – please let this be a happy ending and I’m glad it was! But it must have been such a painful and scary journey, one that’s in the past now. She looks so adorable in the last photo 🙂 #whatsthestory.
Thank you – it has been quite a journey at times and I’m so thankful that she’s doing so well now 🙂
I can’t begin to imagine how hard it must have been, and how hard it still is knowing that there is more to come. Those photos are just wonderful; of the alert and focused new born and the happy three year old. #WhatstheStory
It has been quite a rollercoaster – I try not to think too much about the next stage if I can help it but there are definitely moments when I get quite anxious about it. The first photo is one of my favourites from the early days and it is lovely to see how well she is doing now x
You, your family and your daughter’s strength throughout these events is astounding and certainly admirable. She is precious and I wish you all well.
Thank you – we have had a lot of support from friends and family which really helped get us through those early days x
I know she is fine, but as I read about the op, I can imagine you there, not wanting to leave her side for even a second. You must have been terrified. Our little ones are so precious. I send you all lots of love. Xxx Mel
It was a very scary and anxious time – thankfully she is doing well at the moment and we feel very blessed that she has come this far and done so well, we have been very lucky x
Xx
I cannot begin to imagine how terrifying this must have been for you. I am glad your little bundle is now a happy and healthy little lady x
Thank you – it was a very scary time and we have been very lucky – it is so lovely to see how well she is doing now x
Such a roller coaster Louise, but it’s amazing how well Jessica is now doing! A true miracle 🙂 #sharewithme
Thank you – it was a rollercoaster but I would do it all over again if I had to – my little girl is such a huge blessing 🙂
Wow. What a journey. Beautiful post and gorgeous pics ! xx
Thank you – it has been quite a journey but seeing how well my little girl is doing makes it all worth it 🙂
What a beautiful post. Happy birthday to your precious girl. I cannot imagine what you must have been through already, and what you face too. Sending lots of love x x
Thank you – it has been a rollercoaster but all worth it to see how well she is doing now, we have been very lucky x
WOW what a journey. That must have been such a hard time but you have raised a gorgeous little girl she is adorable!!!! Love the photos! Thank you os much for linking up to Share With Me #sharewithme
Thank you – it has been very hard at times but seeing how well she is doing now is a huge blessing and I know how very lucky we are to have her. Lovely to link up again.
The last few weeks I’ve been getting heart realated stuff on my Timehop…. It’s actually 5 years tomorrow since we went for their post op check! Such a roller coaster of emotions….
So glad things are going well! x
Thank you – yes timehop does make you relive those memories. I’ve been looking back a lot over Jessica’s blog these past few weeks x