The family of a newborn baby who is proving to be "a little miracle" are asking for prayers ahead of life-saving open heart surgery tomorrow (Tuesday, August 1).
Emma Hart, from Stevenage, and her partner Ronnie were delighted to welcome their daughter, Daisy, into the world on June 19, but things rapidly took a turn for the worst after her birth.
Within hours, Daisy was diagnosed with two holes in her heart, TGA - where the pulmonary artery and the aorta are switched, faulty heart valves, and excess tissue on her heart.
Emma's sister, Katie, says it is a miracle Daisy made it to full-term with these undetected heart conditions.
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"Thanks to the quick action at Lister Hospital, Daisy was blue-lighted to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in London," she said.
"She and her parents have been at GOSH from the night she was born."
Daisy is due to undergo life-saving open heart surgery tomorrow (Tuesday).
"The surgeon hopes to do the full corrective surgery but, if he is unable to, he will either do part of it, or a temporary thing to keep her alive, and then try to get her to August," Katie explained.
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"If he is able to do the full corrective surgery, the first 48 hours after the operation are the most critical.
"We are asking people to please think of Daisy and, if you’re the praying kind, to keep her in your prayers.
"She’s a very unique and challenging case, and we are all so worried.
"She’s been a little miracle this far, and surprised many doctors and nurses.
"I know that any extra support or love sent Emma and Ronnie's way right now would make such a difference."
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Emma has spoken of "the heartache" of seeing her daughter suffering, but said "the rare moments when I get to see her beautiful face for a brief moment off the breathing machine keeps me going".
Katie has set up a fundraising page for Emma and Ronnie, as neither of them are currently working so they can stay by Daisy's bedside.
"It can’t make Daisy better, but it can go towards alleviating some of their worry and anxiety right now," Katie said. Visit gofund.me/e80cdc3f if you would like to make a donation.
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