Holly’s Story
Holly’s story began during the time that her mother Dawn was pregnant with her. For Dawn, it was a normal pregnancy up to the 18th week (April or May 2001) when it was discovered in a routine check up that there was something wrong with her baby’s heart (it was lucky that Holly’s condition was picked up because many are missed and it allowed for preparations to be made for her arrival – most likely to have saved her life!) At the time the medical staff couldn’t see Holly’s heart properly because of her positioning in the womb so Dawn came back in a couple of weeks time to have the check up again. By that stage, ti was confirmed that there was definitely something wrong with Holly’s heart and an appointment was made to see the cardiologist. About a fortnight later, the appointment date with the cardiologist arrived. Dawn was then told that her baby had a condition called transposition of the Greater Arteries. It was shocking news and a little unexpected given that Dawn had earlier in her pregnancy ran a series of test to check for conditions like Down’s syndrome etc. Everything had come back clear.
For the first-time parents that was a distressing time. Dawn recalls that ‘we really didn’t know what to do’. The cardiologist informed them that Holly’s heart condition could be fixed but to be prepared for surgery within a week or two after the birth. For the rest of her pregnancy, this news weighed on Dawn’s mind. Yet the foresight allowed for preparations to be made so that Holly’s birth would be a smooth and safe as possible. From originally planning to give birth at Nepean Hospital, the cardiologist recommended for her to go to Westmead where the Children’s Hospital is right next door (should anything happen). In hindsight, Dawn comments that ‘it was probably the best thing.’
The pregnancy continued as normal (as Holly was getting oxygen from her mother and not using her heart yet). The cardiologist advised that the longer dawn could carry her baby the better the chances, and as it turned out her daughter was overdue. That led to an induced birth and fairly easy labour in August. However, Holly was quite sick and she was dashed over to Westmead Children’s.
Dawn’s husband Steve went over the the Children’s Hospital with Holly, and went through a very trying time. Holly had to undergo an emergency procedure to keep her alive. Meanwhile Dawn was still in the maternity wing of Westmead Hospital and unaware of just how close to losing Holly they were. Holly was stabilised for the long week before her surgery. Upon hearing the news, Dawn says ‘I felt that even though I was in the hospital next door I felt such a long way away.’ Straight after being discharged from Westmead, awn headed right over to the Children’s Hospital.
At seven days old, Holly had her first and only open heart surgery where her arteries were ‘switched’ back to normal (because when she was born both her arteries were going to the body with no artery to the lung). The surgery lasted for two hours. Afterwards, the new parents went to see their daughter. Dawn remembers ‘that she had tubes coming out everywhere. So it was pretty horrible for first-time parents to see’. At the same time, Holly made a remarkable recovery. ‘It was surprising after the operation how quickly she recovered,’ says her mother. Her colour was better straight away after the surgery. Previously she had a tinge of blue due to lack of oxygen. Everyday, the tubes were removed, gradually, one by one. She was quite swollen due to the fluids from the operation. but she made great improvements from day one and by the seventh day it was ti me to take her home. A wonderful feeling for the whole family after being in hospital for about a fortnight after the birth!
Now, Holly’s fading scar from the surgery is the only reminder of the ordeal. Holly sees the cardiologist every year to check up on how she is growing and how her heart is going. The Everingham’s, at the moment don’t know if there is more surgery in the future for Holly. That will depend on how her heart is growing relative to her body.
Holly is now seven going very well. There’s been no other heart related surgery or major problems concerning her heart. She’s been in hospital on a few occasions for colds and other stuff but luckily none of these incidents were heart related. Still, it does weigh at the back of her parents’ mind that she does have a heart condition. This means that doctors must be informed during medical visits and when Holly her teachers are aware of her condition.
On the other hand, Holly should be able to live life like anyone else. Contact sports and definitely scuba diving should be avoided but that doesn’t seem like it would be a major conflict of interest. Holly is already appearing to be more of the intellectual type. As an only child of both parents who are also the only child in their family, she’s getting quite spoiled by her grandparents. Very loved!
Dawn feels very thankful for Holly’s life and that has become her motivation to join Heartkids and to help others. Looking back, she comments that she would have liked to talk to other people about it when she first found out about Holly’s condition.
For the future, Holly continues to have her annual checkups with the cardiologist. Each time, Dawn says she feels relieved being told that everything is normal, yet just before the appointment there is that worry if there might be something wrong. But like Dawn remarks, ‘You can’t focus on that otherwise you won’t be able to enjoy her.’ Holly loves dancing, swimming, drawing, stickers, and has lots of friends and family who love her.. A sociable little girl.
Written by Jenny Young as told by Dawn Everingham.