Josie’s Story:
“Archie was born on the 28th March 2018 he was born with hypoplastic right heart syndrome. He underwent his first heart surgery at just 6 days old where he had a bt shunt. This was the first of 3 surgeries we were told to expect during the first 4 years of his life. He was doing really well following surgery and there was talk of him coming off the ventilator the following day.
During the night Archie was unwell and his oxygen levels were dangerously low. His surgeon was called and he was rushed down to theatre where they found a blood clot in shunt in his heart. After this Archie stayed in intensive care for 2 weeks fighting infections and getting some much needed rest. 5 weeks later we were able to take our little hero home for the very first time. We spent the next two and a half months going back and forth from hospitals but enjoying our time at home as a family.
At 3 and a half months old Archie had his next heart operation the Glenn. This went much better than his first operation but still came with a few minor set backs. We were so happy to be taking him home again after a 4 week stay in hospital.
Since we’ve been home our little hero has been great. He amazes us daily and he is the most loving and happy baby we know. We hope that he continues to do really well and copes well with his next operation. I can’t tell you know much joy this little man brings to our lives.
We’re so grateful to the Evelina for everything they have done for us and for ECHO for being there for us from day one.
Through ECHO we have made some great friends who have been through similar situations to us and it’s lovely to know that our little ones will grow up as friends.”
To mark National Heart Month in February, Josie and her family set up a Facebook fundraiser for ECHO and invited friends and family to contribute – and together they have raised an incredible £840!
We are so thankful for support from families like Josie’s, which helps us to continue our work providing support to children with heart conditions and their families.