As you're probably aware when I was 22 weeks pregnant Matt and I received the devastating news that our baby had a serious heart defect.  We were given two options; terminate the baby or continue with the pregnancy knowing the only chance of survivival was for our baby to undergo open heart surgery. 

Not only was I a first time mum but now I was a first time "heart" mum - I felt isolated and scared.  This is when I contacted ECHO.

ECHO provide support to heart families and their children who are treated at the Evelina Children's Hospital behind St Thomas' in Westminster.  ECHO put me in contact with another mum whose child has "Tetralogy of Fallots", like our unborn baby.  The fellow heart Mummy shared her experience with me; the highs and the lows, the tears and the joy.  It was reassurring to speak to another mum whose child had already undergone their correction and was leading a normal life.  I didn't feel so alone and it gave me the courage to get through the rest of my pregnancy.

ECHO also fund antenatal days at St Thomas', where our baby would have to be born.  Matt and I attended one of the days and met other expectant heart parents and we remain close to them today.  Our network of support and empathy was building around us and our soon to be born heart baby, all thanks to the work of ECHO.

Thomas was born on the 23rd June and whisked to intensive care as expected.  Fortunately Thomas was doing really well and we were discharged after only a week to play the waiting game, with surgery anticipated at around 6-8 months of age.

At just 15 weeks old Thomas started to deteriorate.  I took him to A&E at the Medway and we were rushed to the Evelina by ambulance.

Attempts to stabilise Thomas with drugs failed and a week later at 4 months old he underwent open heart surgery as an emergency.  The 15th October 2009 was the worst day of our lives but also the day that our hero Mr David Anderson, Cardiothoracic Surgeon saved our little boys' life.

ECHO were there for us throughout this rollercoaster.  Not only providing the constant emotional support and empathy I craved but the ECHO funded parents room on the cardiac ward enabled us to grab 10 mins to ourselves; to have a coffee or a slice of toast, flick through a magazine or just to gather our thoughts.  A much needed rest from bleeping machines and the constant fear and anxiety you experience during this ordeal.

I am now an antenatal supporter for ECHO, taking calls from mums-to-be who, like me, have received the devastating news that their baby has a serious heart condition.  I hope by listening to their fears and sharing our story I can ease some of the anxiety they are experiencing.  

In addition to this service ECHO also provide ward visitors, newsletters, online members forum, Summer and Christmas parties and a supportive and friendly voice at the end of the phone or email when you are having "one of those days".  ECHO even provide a cuddly cardiac monkey to every heart child after their surgery! 

Last November, feeling very optimistic, I foolishly entered the Run to the Beat half marathon - clearly forgetting I had a baby to look after!  Training has been a bit hit and miss to say the least, fitting in the odd run at weekends around Matt's horrendous working week but take part I shall!  There is no doubt - it will be tough - but when I am hitting that wall (hopefully towards the end!?) I will remember (I never forget) our brave little Thomas in intensive care and all those other brave heart babies and children and what they have had to overcome and I will drag my sorry self to that finish line.

This is where you come in; I know some of you have been kind enough to sponsor "Team Thomas" when we completed the Bupa 10k back in May for the Evelina Children's hosiptal so I don't want to take advantage but now I call upon your good nature for one final time.  PLEASE spare a pound or two (or more!) for ECHO.  Please help them to continue their good work so they can help another family like us.

I promise this will be my last fundraising effort for the foreseeable future and I cannot thank you enough for your support and contribution.

And finally please give me and fellow heart mum Caroline Jeal a thought on Sunday 26th September when we are running (or maybe crawling) those 13.1 miles for our brave heart babies.  I'll be sure to let you know how I get on.

Thanks again everyone and wish me luck ;o)

xx