“The support we received from CHSF as well as all the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit staff meant so much to us. We are truly grateful to this wonderful charity.

written by mum Jessica

Our son Abel was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot after our 20-week anomaly scan showed his heart had not formed correctly.

 

We then had regular scans at the LGI and he was delivered at 37 weeks.

 

Thankfully he was well and had good oxygen levels, so we were allowed home after two days.

 

Abel continued to have monthly heart echo’s up until his surgery in July 2022, at 13 months old.

Children’s Heart Surgery Fund were such a big help to me and my partner.

 

They provided us with accommodation in the hospital for three days during Abel’s stay in PICU. It was great peace of mind that we could both be close to him and that we could visit Abel at any time of the day.

 

The support we received from CHSF, as well as all the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit staff at Leeds Children’s Hospital (Ward L51) meant so much to us. We are truly grateful to this wonderful charity.

On #WarriorWednesday, we celebrate the amazing heart heroes we support in our region. We tell their stories to raise vital awareness of congenital heart disease and recognise the care of the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit.

Feedback from heart patients and families tells us your story will help others dealing with a diagnosis of CHD to realise they are not alone and that there is support available from CHSF.

If you would like to make a regular or one-off donation to help fund CHSF’s life-saving work, you can do so here. Thank you.

More from the blog…

Be a hero for…LOCHIE!

Be a hero for…LOCHIE!

Lochie Blue is 2 years old and lives in Silsden near Keighley. He was diagnosed at 10 days old with Coarctation of the aorta, Ventricular septal defect (VSD) and Atrial septal defect (ASD). Lochie and his family will be at this year's Superhero Walk and we spoke to...

Jessica

Jessica

Jessica Thomas, 13, excels at dancing after overcoming heart defect A teenager who had an eight-hour open heart operation at just six months old has been described as 'inspirational' after excelling as a dancer.Jessica doesn't let her heart condition hold her back....

Simon

Simon

Simon from Scunthorpe was born in the the early 80's with congenital heart disease. He was diagnosed with a heart murmur and a hole in his heart when he was six. But it wasn’t until a few years later, after developing an infection, that Simon, his family and doctors...