Our Story and why we want to raise money for Heartkids.

I recall the excitement of finding out that we were expecting our first child in

2008, but I also recall, like it was yesterday the heartache at the 12wk scan

being told that there was some thing wrong with our baby. I recall calling my

husband, who was not able to attend the appointment, and being unable to

speak on the phone. At the 18wk scan they could see a large VSD

(hole In his heart) and possibly some other structural problems within the

heart, which would require surgery. At 8wks of age Max began to struggle to

feed and his weight dropped dramatically. He was admitted to hospital and put

on Nasal Gastic Feeds and sent home. At 10 weeks old they decided to repair

the hole. It is an incredibly frightening experience handing your child over to a

surgeons knowing that during the proceedure they would have to stop his

heart. The surgery went well and Max was out of hospital five days later.

Our second son Austin was born in 2010 , he has no heart conditions.

Our third child Olive was born in 2013 and she appeared completely healthy at

birth. So we were not concerned when she caught a cold while we were on

holiday. On return from holiday we took Ollie to see our GP. Her cold was lingering and she woke up with a dry nappy and began to vomit.

At the GP he rushed us to the emergency department. After the inital doctor checked her over, a second, more senior doctor came in to the room, took one look at her and raced her into resus, where they took an X-ray, raced around trying to put in drips to administers medication and to take blood while organising for her to be transfer her to the Childrens Mater Hospital. We were then told she had Dilated Cardiomyopathy, she was in severe heart failure and to expect the worst. Our lives had been turned upside down in a heartbeat. At the Mater, the cardiologist managed to stabliser her and she was airlifted to Melbourne hospital for consideration for a heart transplant, which would be her only chance at survival. We had no choice but to move the family to Melbourne.

Ollie continued to deteriate while in Melbourne and was placed on an artifical heart called the Berlin Heart which kept her alive while she waited for a suitable heart. During this time she under went many proceedures and tests, was nasal gastrically fed and clinically, had a 30% change of dying each day. She was attached to a 200 kilogram machine with a 20min battery life and had to spend most of her time in her room.

During this time we received a lot of support from Heartkids. They supported us in practical ways as well as some financial support but most importantly they supported our whole family emotionally and we cannot thank them enough for there continued support.

I will never forget the morning when my husband called to say they had found a heart for Ollie. Initialy we were in shock and then excited but that day was also filled with great sadness for another family, who had made the most selfless decision. The surgery was a success and after a short stay in ICU and the ward, we were finally allowed to leave the hospital for the first time in months as a family. For the next few months we had to remain in Melbourne and stay close to the hospital. We were finally able to return home to Brisbane after 9mths in Melbourne.

Tests have confirmed both Max and Ollie have Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Max has commenced medication to support his heart and will continue to be monitored. Ollie will always be on medication, which will lower her immune system and make her more susceptible to other illnesses but she has a second chance and we will make sure she enjoys it.

We don't know what her future holds, but neither do any of us, so we will continue to raise awareness and money to hopefully change her future and the future of all children with CHD