Special anniversary - 5 years ago today my lovely dd had open heart surgery.

[Wallace]

Every anniversary brings all the memories flooding back, and I always get a bit maudlin.

It is a happy day though. She is one of the lucky ones who has had a full repair and has no ongoing heart problems.

We wished her scar a Happy Birthday

I think I packed an overnight bag for dd's OP appointments for quite a few years. I was always convinced they would keep us in and it's a long way to travel. I force myself not to these days

She's been having all her appointments at our local hospital rather than the the cardiac one. Don't know if that's good or bad but it is nearly 6 months since the last one .

The community nurse phoned me this morning and asked if S was at the hospital before the 18th. I told her we weren't planning to be,but anything's possible with my little tinker

Saggar, dh takes ds1 for his appointments now. I just sit and fret at home. I sometimes wonder if there will ever be a point when I can relax, but really now we're down to one every 12 months which I suppose is the best we can get?

BTW, can I take it from your name that you are local to Stoke? We live not far from there. DS1 is seen at Alder Hey, is your dd?

More recent pics on my profile

saggar - that is who did dd1's surgery i think.

I will never forget the day we had to go up to the hospital - my 34th birthday - her surgery was the next day. We spent three weeks up in London and I got home just before dh and my 1st wedding anniversary.

Earlier this year at her check up the cardiologist told us as her repair is still doing so well - it looks like she will not need the repair they thought she might as a teenager.

You are all members of a special club aren't you?

I can't imagine what it would be like to watch DS go through something so scary as heart surgery. I was a wreck when he had his testicle op.

Best wishes to you all and to all your little troupers.

bagbuss - yes, Stoke, but we're looked after by Birmingham for cardiac, Stoke for orthopaedic and general. dh doesn't come to appointments - he paces bless him, and dd and I can't stand it lol

We will be starting on the joys of transition to adult services soon. Dreading it.

Thanks for the good wishes Buda

Buda, what a lovely post, thank you .

Saggar, I hadn't even thought about the bit where ds1 will stop being looked after by his current cardiologist. I hope it is a smooth transition for your dd .