Our baby boy Charlie Douthwaite was born on the 2 October 2017. Charlie was born with a rare heart defect called Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). HLHS is a condition where the left lower pumping chamber of the heart does not develop properly so is much smaller than usual. Treatment for HLHS requires a three-step surgical procedure called staged palliation. The 3 steps consist of the following procedures:
Norwood Procedure, Bi-directional Glenn Operation and finally the Fontan Operation. This was the planned route for Charlie, but after Charlie recieved the Norwood Procedure he suffered 2 cardiac arrests. Charlies heart stopped and needed massaged for 30 minutes by hand both times. Our baby boy was slowly losing his battle and doctors made the decision to place Charlie on the heart transplant list because stage 2 and 3, would not help, a transplant was Charlies only viable option. At the 11th hour we got the news that a heart had became available and at only 6 weeks old, Charlie would become one of the youngest babies, if not the youngest baby to recieve a heart transplant. We as parents were delighted that our boy was going to get the gift he desperately needed, but we were also devastated because we knew exactly what this meant, another family in their darkest hour reached out and saved our child. We will forever be grateful for your heartfelt, selfless act. Since Charlie recieved his new heart, our baby boy is still fighting with everything he has. Not only is Charlie recovering from a heart transplant but his left lung has collapsed twice in the past 2 weeks and he is also currently fighting off a serious infection. Without care and support from the staff here at the freeman hospital, Charlie clearly would not be here today. This is just our story, the staff here care for alot of families and children in a similar position to ours. The best way to repay these hero's is to help fund their amazing work. We will raise the target to raise as much as possible.