Holly's Story

My pregnancy was all going smoothly up to the 18th week (April or May 2001) when it was discovered in a routine check up that there was something wrong with my baby's heart. At a later appointment with a cardiologist I was told that my baby had the condition called transposition of the Greater Arteries. It was shocking news and a little unexpected given that I had earlier in my pregnancy run a series of test to check for conditions like Down's syndrome etc. Everything had come back clear.

For a first-time parent that was an incredibly distressing time. I recalled thinking that 'I really didn't know what to do'. The cardiologist informed them that Holly's heart condition could be fixed, and to be prepared for surgery within a week or two after the birth. For the rest of her pregnancy, this news weighed on my mind. Yet the foresight allowed for preparations to be made so that Holly's birth would be a smooth and safe as possible. The pregnancy continued as normal (as Holly was getting oxygen from her mother and not using her heart yet). The cardiologist advised that the longer I could carry my baby the better the chances, and as it turned out her daughter was overdue. That led to an induced birth and fairly easy labour. However, Holly was quite sick and she was dashed over to Westmead Children's.

My husband Steve went over to the Children's Hospital with Holly, and went through a very trying time. Holly had to undergo an emergency procedure to keep her alive. Meanwhile I was still in the maternity wing of Westmead Hospital and unaware of just how close to losing Holly we were.

At seven days old, Holly had her open heart surgery where her arteries were 'switched' back to normal (because when she was born both her arteries were going to the body with no artery to the lung). The surgery lasted for two hours. After which, we were allowed to see our daughter. I recall that she had tubes coming out everywhere. So it was pretty horrible for first-time parents to see. At the same time, Holly made a remarkable recovery. Her colour was better straight away after the surgery. Previously she had a tinge of blue, due to lack of oxygen. Gradually the tubes were removed one by one. She was quite swollen due to the fluids from the operation, but she made great improvements from day one and by the seventh day it was time to take her home. A wonderful feeling for the whole family after being in hospital for about a fortnight after the birth!

Now, Holly's fading scar from the surgery is the only reminder of the ordeal. Holly sees the cardiologist every year to check up on how she is growing and how her heart is going. We are not sure if there is more surgery in the future for Holly. That will depend on how her heart is growing relative to her body.

Holly is now seven going very well. There's been no other heart related surgery or major problems concerning her heart. She's been in hospital on a few occasions for colds and other stuff but luckily none of these incidents were heart related. Still, it does weigh at the back of my mind that she does have a heart condition. This means that doctors must be informed during medical visits and when Holly her teachers are aware of her condition. I feel very thankful for Holly's life and this has become my motivation to join Heartkids and to help others. Looking back, I would have liked to talk to other people about it when we first found out about Holly's condition.