October 26th 2024.
When Matt's daughter Amalie was born, he never could have imagined the journey that lay ahead for his family. From the very beginning, Amalie faced a serious health challenge - she was born with a hole in her heart, known as a Ventricular Septal Defect, as well as a rare form of congenital heart disease. As a father of three, Matt and his wife Sophie were no strangers to parenthood, but they were completely unprepared for this news.
At Amalie's 20-week scan, the couple went in with a sense of excitement, even bringing their other children along to see their new baby sister. But as time passed and they weren't called in for the scan, Matt's initial excitement turned to fear. When he was finally allowed to go in, the doctor delivered the devastating news - Amalie's condition was severe and without intervention, she might not survive.
Those two days before their follow-up appointment were filled with anxiety and endless online research as Matt and Sophie tried to understand what their daughter was facing. When the full diagnosis was given, the couple couldn't help but feel a sense of dread and uncertainty about Amalie's future.
But thanks to the life-saving work of the British Heart Foundation, Amalie is now a healthy and happy four-year-old, about to celebrate her fifth birthday. Her condition was so severe that she needed open heart surgery just weeks after being born, but today she is thriving and even starting primary school.
Sophie recalls her pregnancy with Amalie as being quite different from her previous experiences. As they approached Amalie's due date, they had more frequent check-ins to plan for the best treatment strategy after her birth. It was clear that Amalie would need surgery as soon as she was born, but it wasn't until her delivery that the doctors could determine the exact course of action.
Despite being frightened, the couple felt they were in safe hands during Amalie's birth. But the moments after her arrival were bittersweet, as they were only able to hold her for a few minutes before she was taken to intensive care. It was a heartbreaking experience for Sophie, who just wanted to be able to hold her baby and get to know her.
Amalie's surgery was a success, but the road to recovery was not without its challenges. She remained on medication and needed frequent medical exams, including dialysis for kidney damage. When the pandemic hit, the family had to be extra cautious to protect Amalie, but eventually, she was able to come off her medication and now only needs a yearly check-up.
Today, Matt and Sophie are grateful for every day with their daughter, knowing that without the incredible work of the British Heart Foundation and the skilled surgeon who performed Amalie's surgery, their family might look very different. They are reminded of their daughter's strength and resilience every time they see her playing and smiling, and they are forever thankful for the second chance at life that she has been given.
Matt's daughter, Amalie, was born with a congenital heart defect known as Ventricular Septal Defect. It was a shock for Matt and his wife, Sophie, when they found out during Amalie's 20-week scan. They were already experienced parents, having two older children, so they were feeling pretty relaxed going into the appointment. In fact, they were so excited that they even brought their other kids along to see the scan of their new baby sister.
However, things took a turn when the nurse took longer than usual to call them in for the scan. Matt started to worry that something might be wrong. He requested to go in and was allowed, but without the kids. There, the couple received the news that their baby girl would not only have a hole in her heart, but also a rare form of congenital heart disease. It was a devastating blow, and they were filled with fear and uncertainty about their daughter's future.
For the next two days, Matt and Sophie couldn't stop researching and trying to understand Amalie's condition. When they finally got the full diagnosis, they were overwhelmed with a sinking feeling. They didn't know if their daughter would survive. But thanks to the life-changing work of the British Heart Foundation, Amalie is now a happy and healthy four-year-old, about to celebrate her fifth birthday.
Sophie's pregnancy with Amalie was very different from her previous ones. As they approached Amalie's due date, they had frequent check-ins to assess the best treatment strategy for when she was born. The doctors knew that they would have to operate as soon as possible to give Amalie the best chance of survival. When it was time for the birth, the couple were understandably frightened, but also felt reassured by the 15-member medical team present.
Despite the fear and uncertainty, the hardest part for Sophie was not being able to hold her baby girl for more than two minutes before she was whisked away to intensive care. As a mother, all she wanted was to hold and bond with her newborn, but that was cut short as Amalie needed immediate care. It was a heartbreaking moment for the family.
After two weeks, Amalie was strong enough for her surgery. She spent five days in intensive care before being moved to the Royal Infirmary where she was deemed stable. The doctors then gave the family a week of normality, a moment of respite before the surgery. It was a bittersweet time for the family, grateful for the break but also anxious about what was to come.
Fortunately, the surgery was successful, and the couple felt like they were finally out of hot water. Amalie still needed a lot of medication and frequent check-ups after her surgery, but as she grew stronger, she was able to come off her medication. Then, when the pandemic hit, the family had to be extra careful and shielded to protect Amalie's fragile health. But now, she only needs a yearly check-up and is a happy and healthy little girl. The surgeon from the British Heart Foundation who conducted her surgery is now like a hero to the family, and they are forever grateful for the life-changing work he did for their daughter.
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