Back to blogging

On Tuesday 30th July, with just under three weeks until I was due to have Martha Grace - I published my first blog post.

It was titled "Three weeks and counting" and I would have been mortified if I thought that someone I know might ever read it.

I started the blog because every time I looked online for Interrupted Aortic  Arch I couldn't find anything; the closest I could find was Coarctation of the Aorta and that was on the British Heart Foundation website. But I wanted more than that; I wanted the nitty-gritty. I wanted to know the ins and outs of taking a baby for open heart surgery at only a few days old and what could expect in the days and weeks after.

I wanted to know that another family had been through this and had made it to the other side.

I recently saw a photo on Facebook with the caption "Be who you needed when you were first diagnosed" and it really struck a chord with me. I started the blog for that reason but I've neglected my little corner of the internet for so long.

We have hit the jackpot with Martha. One consultant told us that she would only have a 50%-70% chance of making it to her 5th Birthday. We have less than a month until that milestone now. We're currently on 6-month check-ups at the most amazing hospital in the country and are counting down the days until our first family holiday abroad.

But somewhere out there is a family that was in the same situation we were in during the summer of 2013. I want them to know that if they just sit tight, put their faith in their decision and in their team and imagine that in 5 years time - they could be where we are now.

I have met some lovely people through the blogging community, people who have shared their stories and experiences with me, have held us in their prayers during surgery and people I've felt real honest grief for when the worst has happened. 

I've also got an online diary of Martha's journey for her to look back on as she's older and be completely amazed at everything she's been through. 

I'm looking forward to a happy worry-free summer (the polar opposite of summer 2013) and I want to capture the moment's in photographs. I owe it to myself - I owe it to my family.

GM

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