Oliver was born 9 March 2008 in Dublin - normal delivery with a full medical team in the room as we knew he had a heart defect from a 20 week scan.  He was a perfect little baby who was whisked off for observation

After 3 days, his breathing became labored and he ended up having a 4 hour emergency operation aged 4 days

As Oliver does, he bounced back incredibly fast and within 10 days we had this very young baby home, with stitches, scars and very big eyes.  That surgery, unfortunately, didn't repair his heart - that little drama was to unfold at age 7 months

His next big spell in hospital was the planned open heart operation to fix his holes - 3 of them in all.  This scheduled but enormous surgery didn't go to plan however, as his actual configuration was more complicated than indicated on MRI scans - in short an attempt to repair the holes was not possible and in the interests of his quality of life, an alternative operation was performed.  Although in surgery for 10 long hours (I've shown a photo of him in ICU which I'm sorry is shocking), Oliver started his recovery and was sitting up and smiling again soon enough.  We took him home a few weeks after and started to tentatively regain our lives again

Oliver's condition took a nose dive just before his first birthday - he got a cold which they think resulted with a virus going to his heart.  Oliver was taken straight in to ICU with massively reduced heart function - his left side was around 15% effective - his right about 50%.  We don't know how close he was to a complete heart failure but it was close enough!!  After a few weeks of no real improvement in Dublin, we were airlifted to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) where we were told almost immediately Oliver would need a heart transplant and soon.

We were advised he would be in ICU until a heart became available (this can take up to a year and not all children waiting on the list are lucky enough to receive a suitable organ)

As Oliver does, he started improving and we were sent home 10 days later terrified.  His improvement has been miraculous and Oliver is currently so clinically well that he has been removed from the transplant list entirely

Oliver's future is very uncertain from a medical perspective - how he is so so well remains a mystery and long may it continue.  We have to accept though, that the medical experts still believe that Oliver will need a heart transplant in the future, possibly in 5 or so years based on his current form

So our future and that of GOSH are closely linked.  The hospital is a fantastic place where life and death is faced every day - they really do perform miracles there and we need one for our little man!!

The hospital is currently attempting to construct a new cardiac wing where Oliver's health care will be carried out.  They are attempting to raise £50m for the new department and every little helps. So to do our bit, Lisa and I are participating in a walk along the Thames to raise funds - yes I'm walking!!!

Many many thanks for your contributions

Pete