Little Heart Warrior - Ellie
TRIGGER WARNING I spoke with Lauren, who has our youngest baby so far at just 5 months old, Ellie. Ellie was diagnosed during Lauren's 20 week scan with: - Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA) During Ellie's 12 weeks in hospital she suffered some significant set backs and this is a warning that this episode could be triggering for some listeners. I talk with Lauren about Ellie having an open chest after surgery, being told there was a 50/50 chance of one of the procedures working after Ellie went into a critical condition and the 'miracle baby' that she became. We talk about a range of medical conditions and treatments in this episode, and have provided explanations (from Dr Google) for each below: Necrotizing Enterocolitis - a serious gastrointestinal problem that mostly affects premature babies. The condition inflames intestinal tissue, causing it to die. Chylothorax - a rare condition in which lymphatic fluid leaks into the space between the lung and chest wall. When this fluid builds up in the lungs, it can cause a severe cough, chest pain and difficulty breathing. Chylothorax is a lymphatic flow disorder. ECMO - In Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), blood is pumped outside of the body to a heart-lung machine that removes carbon dioxide and sends oxygen filled blood back to tissues in the body. Stoma - a round or oval opening made during surgery through the tummy wall. It lets the bowel connect onto the surface of the tummy. Poo will no longer pass out of the rectum and anus in the usual way. Instead it will pass out of the stoma, into a disposable bag that is worn over the stoma. Links to charities discussed in the podcast: Tiny Tickers: https://www.tinytickers.org/ British Heart Foundation: www.bhf.org.uk