A girl had open heart surgery at two-years-old after being born with a rare condition.
Isla Dobson was born with a complex congenital heart condition which forced her to undergo complex surgeries as a baby, including travelling to America at the age of two for an eight-hour open-heart operation after an operation in the UK went wrong . Dad Mike, from Heswall, explained how they nearly lost Isla on the operating table.
The 42-year-old told the ECHO: "Isla was diagnosed with her condition before she was born, she had her first surgery in the UK at six months old, which went quite badly wrong.
READ MORE: 'I'm more broken than before' admits mum after losing nine stone
"They nearly lost her on the operating table, they managed to save her but did a temporary repair so they could get her out of surgery."
The next 18 months were anguish for the family as they waited on news from the surgeons on the research being made on Isla's condition. Mike added: "The temporary repairs would only last 18 months, and at the three-monthly check ups with her cardiologists, when we asked about the progress, it was always 'we don't know, we're still discussing it'.
"As it was getting towards 18 months we were thinking we can't really wait much longer. We had no idea what the future would hold as a family."
Mike and his wife Ali then began their own research, contacting a surgeon in California who agreed to perform their own scans on Isla, and were able to perform the surgery themselves. Isla is now a happy and healthy 11-year-old.
Mike doesn't think anyone should have to go abroad to receive life-saving treatment, so he is supporting the British Heart Foundation in raising money for research. He said: "Why should people have to travel across the world to get the treatment they need? The British Heart Foundation have been great and the work they do is amazing."
The dad-of-one is taking on the London Marathon to raise vital funds for the BHF’s lifesaving research into heart conditions, including congenital heart conditions. Before the BHF existed, the majority of babies diagnosed with a severe heart defect in the UK did not survive to their first birthday. Today, thanks to research, more than 8 out of 10 survive to adulthood.
Mike said: “I wanted to do something to give back to all the help we’ve been given on Isla’s road to recovery and to raise funds for more research into complex heart conditions, like hers. I’ve never been a passionate runner, but the London Marathon is iconic, and has always been something I’ve wanted to try.
“I’ll be taking on this huge challenge to say thank you to all those who have shown their incredible support to my family over the last 11 years. By raising money for the BHF’s lifesaving research I hope I can and prevent families in the future from going through similar heartbreak we did.”
To support Mike's fundraiser for the British Heart Foundation, click here. To find out more about the work the British Heart Foundation do, visit here.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
READ NEXT
Man who tried to pass himself off as a hero outed as a paedophile
Encro dealer 'Scarface Anfield' caught after saying his real name
Gino D'Acampo's Liverpool restaurant slapped with one star hygiene rating
Iceland fans praise 'tastiest ever' Slimming World meal
Share a Random Act of Kindness and celebrate Merseyside's warm heart
