At 5 months pregnant Charlene was advised to terminate her pregnancy but despite saying no she continued to stay strong and focus on her baby being born.
Charlene's son Kyle arrived at 36 weeks.
A beautiful boy whom was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.
Despite 3 surgeries Kyle is now an 11 year boy who has fought to survive.
Kyle's mother Charlene kindly agreed to an interview with me in regards to his condition.
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An Interview With Charlene:
What is your name and age?
I'm Charlene and I'm 29 years old
What is your child's name and age?
My son is called Kyle and he's 11 years old
Did you have a normal pregnancy or were there any complications?
No complications
Did you have a normal labour or were there any complications?
I was induced at 36 weeks and had no complications during labour
When was your child diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome?
I found out my boy had Hlhs when I was 5 months pregnant and was adviced to terminate my pregnancy.
What symptoms did he / does he have?
Shortness of breath, rapid change of colour to he's skin, gets tired a lot during day, sometimes he has to have a little nap during school hours, also he suffers with bad cramps in he's legs due to poor blood circulation.
Is there a cure?
No unfortunately not
When did he undergo his first surgery and what was the process?
He had he's first open heart surgery at 16 hours old, known as the Norwood Procedure
It converts the right ventricle into the main ventricle pumping blood to both the lungs and the body, by this they inserted a small tube called a shunt.
He's next procedure was at 6months old, this is known as Glenn Operation, the shunt to the pulmonary arteries is disconnected and the right pulmonary artery is connected directly to the superior vena cava, the vein that brings deoxygenated blood from the upper part of the body to the heart.
And he had his 3rd operation at 2 years old and this is known as the Fontan Operation, It connects the inferior vena cava, the blood vessel that drains deoxygenated blood from the lower part of the body into the heart .
How long was he hospitalised for?
He remained in hospital till he was 2 months old after he's first procedure and was finally allowed home with a feeding tube, after his second he stayed in hospital for 2 weeks, and after his 3rd he stayed in for 7 weeks, only reason being because during surgery his kidney collapsed.
What advice would you give other parents/guardians in this situation?
Live each day, treasure every moment, our babies are miracles.
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