Girl with ‘half heart’ smiles after brutal 15 hour surgery

Faith Miller had open heart surgery for the fourth time at the Royal Hospital for Children three weeks ago.

The inspiring four-year-old, from Glasgow, was born with a ‘life limiting illness’ as her congenital heart defects meant she only developed the right side of her heart.

She underwent the Fontan procedure to help recirculate the blood around the body using the one ventricle, and also had a valve repair.

It involves surgeons creating a connecting a tube outside of the heart to help the flow of blood to the lungs without passing through a ventricle.

Now Faith has been pictured sitting up smiling as she recovers in hospital with her proud parents and big sister Paige Miller, 6.

Mum Ashleigh Kennedy, 36, and Faith's dad, who doesn’t want to be named, are thrilled at her progress but said they are taking each day as it comes.

Paige and little sister Faith

Faith’s father said: “Faith has substantial heart defects which means she can't do the normal things a four-year-old could do like play time or nursery.

“Not every day is the same for her, we have happy days, sad day's, up day's and down day's.

“Her condition has a massive impact on her day to day life but she is the most loving wee one and gives everyday the best she can.

“Faith is making good progress on the road to recovery still in ward 1e at the children's hospital in Glasgow.”

Faith is smiling again

The Fontan procedure is a palliative surgical procedure used in children with univentricular hearts.

It will improve her quality of life but sadly doctors did confirm it is a ‘life limiting’ illness which her operation sadly can not fix.

It comes as Faith is unfortunately not eligible for a heart transplant due to her condition.

Faith's dad added: “There my be a chance in the years faith will need a valve replacement.

“She is not a candidate for a transplant as she doesn't have the connections for a normal heart.

“My hope for her is to grow strong and battle everyday as she has in the past four years the best that she can.

“We just take it a day at a time with Faith, we remember yesterday and hope tomorrow is a brighter day.”

Her family are now praising the amazing work the NHS has done for them since Faith has been in hospital.

It comes after they experienced the ‘best teamwork’ they had ever seen at the Royal Hospital for Children.

This included NHS heroes constantly checking in with the anxious family as they waited for Faith to go under the knife for a fourth time as well as reassuring them throughout the process.

They said: "We would like to say a massive thank you to the staff at Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow Ward 1E and Critical Care.

"Faith has had loads of appointments via the cardiology department. 

"From day one of us being admitted to ward 1E, we received an excellent welcome from Louise charge nurse and her excellent team of staff.

"This is the best teamwork I have seen in a hospital setting.

"On the morning of Faith's surgery, the staff on the ward were comforting.

"The incredible surgeon Mr Edward Peng and the surgical team and Faiths cardiologist Dr Knight all passed by to make sure we were all ok which gave us great comfort.

"The time came for Faith to go to the theatre and we got the friendliest porter called Nick. A very nice lad.

"He saw us to the anaesthetic room where we met the two incredible doctors Aly and Graham.

"They set Faith off to sleep so controlled and gave us the best support you could ask for.

"We then entered our long 15 hours of a wait but the staff on the ward kept us updated and made sure we were okay.

"The time came to meet Mr Peng in the small hours of the morning, he gave a detailed talk on what happened in the theatre.

"We have so much time and respect for him and his surgical team.

"We got to see Faith in ICU yet again the staff were incredible in supporting Faith on her road to recovery.

"After a few days, Faith went back to the ward where she was filled with welcome and love from the staff on the ward where she continues to recover and receive excellent care.

"Thank you to everyone that was involved in Faith's care, you are all truly wonderful people.

"We have also received lovely gifts from the Zak Scott braveheart Foundation and the John O'Brian Foundation, I’d like to thank them too.”