Courageous Cait's with Half a Heart
Donation protected
Katie Heart Fund
6th February 2005, I gave birth to a little girl at Liverpool Women’s Hospital. Baby Caitlyn was taken to Intensive Care within minutes and quickly transferred to the cardiac unit at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
At 5 days old Caitlyn’s only chance of survival would be to undergo open heart surgery. Following 12 hours in theatre Dr Marco Pozzi, Paediatric Cardiac Surgeon discussed my daughter’s critical condition. To this day I remember asking him “Will she die?” in which he responded “I don’t know”. It was at this point I began to realise how poorly my little girl was and mentally made plans to say goodbye. Weeks went by and Caitlyn remained on a life support machine, receiving the maximum level of treatment available to her. February had been and gone. Each day I sat next to her, holding her hand and speaking few words I had within me to comfort her. March arrived and so did the day when my miracle baby was able to breath for herself. After many more weeks of recovery Caitlyn was finally allowed home for the first time since birth. Relief, distress and fear shook through my body. It was my time to take over and care for her precious life.
2 years went by. The time had come for Caitlyn to endure her 2nd heart operation. I still have to pinch myself when I say this but after 10 hours in theatre, a few days in intensive care and the odd day or two on the cardiac ward, my little lady was discharged 8 days following open heart surgery. Amazing. A quick recovery according to the doctors and nurses.
In October 2010 my daughter endured complex heart surgery for the 3rd time. This operation would redesign the plumbing in and round Caitlyn’s heart giving her the best chance of making it into adult hood and living with half a heart. 6 weeks post-surgery, Caitlyn was still in hospital and her condition began to deteriorate. The Cardiologist decided it would be for the best if my little lady had further invasive investigations to determine why her current state was weakening. The news was heart-breaking, unbearable and difficult to comprehend. Caitlyn’s new circulation had collapsed meaning she would have to go through further heart surgery. She spent a total of 12 weeks in hospital, 7 operations and finally she was discharged a few days before Christmas.
As a consequence of Caitlyn’s circumstances the courageous 9 year old became the creator and founder of the Katie Heart Fund. She was also the driving force behind the setup of the charity graciously organised by Warrington Irish club family and friends in 2014.
Caitlyn endured several months of psychology enabling her to manage her demons and worries surrounding her life threatening heart condition. Determination along with the support of her clinical psychologist, Susannah McNulty, resulted In Caitlyn giving her heart the name “Katie Heart”.
The Charity board members and organisers have this year dedicated their time to arranging a 17 mile Charity Walk taking place on Sunday 22nd March 2015, which will see over 80 people walking from Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. This is where Caitlyn’s lifesaving treatment began and continuing care is provided. The final destination of the walk is Warrington, Caitlyn’s home town.
All donations for the 2015 walk and go fund me appeal will be split;
Cardiac Pioneering Surgical Equipment, The “Hybrid Theatre”.
Contribution towards a Trip to Florida for Caitlyn.
If you would like to make a donation, or you're feeling brave and would like to part in the charity walk then please do get in touch.
Remember! Together we can make a difference to Caitlyn's life, also contributing towards pioneering surgical equipment used to treat the countries sickest kids, giving them an improved chance of survival and the chance live, just like Caitlyn.
Caitlyn and her family would like to say a huge thank you to all the people who have made this event possible.
6th February 2005, I gave birth to a little girl at Liverpool Women’s Hospital. Baby Caitlyn was taken to Intensive Care within minutes and quickly transferred to the cardiac unit at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
At 5 days old Caitlyn’s only chance of survival would be to undergo open heart surgery. Following 12 hours in theatre Dr Marco Pozzi, Paediatric Cardiac Surgeon discussed my daughter’s critical condition. To this day I remember asking him “Will she die?” in which he responded “I don’t know”. It was at this point I began to realise how poorly my little girl was and mentally made plans to say goodbye. Weeks went by and Caitlyn remained on a life support machine, receiving the maximum level of treatment available to her. February had been and gone. Each day I sat next to her, holding her hand and speaking few words I had within me to comfort her. March arrived and so did the day when my miracle baby was able to breath for herself. After many more weeks of recovery Caitlyn was finally allowed home for the first time since birth. Relief, distress and fear shook through my body. It was my time to take over and care for her precious life.
2 years went by. The time had come for Caitlyn to endure her 2nd heart operation. I still have to pinch myself when I say this but after 10 hours in theatre, a few days in intensive care and the odd day or two on the cardiac ward, my little lady was discharged 8 days following open heart surgery. Amazing. A quick recovery according to the doctors and nurses.
In October 2010 my daughter endured complex heart surgery for the 3rd time. This operation would redesign the plumbing in and round Caitlyn’s heart giving her the best chance of making it into adult hood and living with half a heart. 6 weeks post-surgery, Caitlyn was still in hospital and her condition began to deteriorate. The Cardiologist decided it would be for the best if my little lady had further invasive investigations to determine why her current state was weakening. The news was heart-breaking, unbearable and difficult to comprehend. Caitlyn’s new circulation had collapsed meaning she would have to go through further heart surgery. She spent a total of 12 weeks in hospital, 7 operations and finally she was discharged a few days before Christmas.
As a consequence of Caitlyn’s circumstances the courageous 9 year old became the creator and founder of the Katie Heart Fund. She was also the driving force behind the setup of the charity graciously organised by Warrington Irish club family and friends in 2014.
Caitlyn endured several months of psychology enabling her to manage her demons and worries surrounding her life threatening heart condition. Determination along with the support of her clinical psychologist, Susannah McNulty, resulted In Caitlyn giving her heart the name “Katie Heart”.
The Charity board members and organisers have this year dedicated their time to arranging a 17 mile Charity Walk taking place on Sunday 22nd March 2015, which will see over 80 people walking from Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. This is where Caitlyn’s lifesaving treatment began and continuing care is provided. The final destination of the walk is Warrington, Caitlyn’s home town.
All donations for the 2015 walk and go fund me appeal will be split;
Cardiac Pioneering Surgical Equipment, The “Hybrid Theatre”.
Contribution towards a Trip to Florida for Caitlyn.
If you would like to make a donation, or you're feeling brave and would like to part in the charity walk then please do get in touch.
Remember! Together we can make a difference to Caitlyn's life, also contributing towards pioneering surgical equipment used to treat the countries sickest kids, giving them an improved chance of survival and the chance live, just like Caitlyn.
Caitlyn and her family would like to say a huge thank you to all the people who have made this event possible.
Organizer
Natalie Whitehead
Organizer
