Summer Carson-Black is a little heart warrior.
She may be only four months old, but the tiny tot has already been through major open heart surgery.
After spending two months in hospital, Summer is now recovering at home in Irvine with her mum Amanda and dad Brian.
First-time mum Amanda said: “We had no issues at any of the scans. Summer was born on December 14 and the following day nurses discovered her oxygen levels were low and dropping.
“The did all they could at Crosshouse, but she had to be moved to the Queen Elizabeth in Glasgow for specialist care. It was horrible.”
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Doctors then diagnosed Summer with Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return (TAPVR).
The 26-year-old-mum explained: “Summer’s pulmonary veins aren’t connected – this explains why Summer was blue when she was born as she wasn’t getting enough oxygenated blood.
“We immediately went on the waiting list. It was heartbreaking waiting everyday for her surgery to be confirmed.”
Summer was only six days old when she endured the 10-hour complex open heart surgery which was not without risks.
Said Amanda: “I made it worse for myself because I took her down to theatre and waited until they put her under. I just froze.
“It was horrible, you just don’t know what the outcome would be. That day felt like it lasted forever.
“It was scary when we first saw her after the operation because they had to leave her chest open to reduce swelling.”
After Summer’s surgery, on Boxing Day, she went into cardiac arrest and it took four attempts for doctors to bring her back.
Then on New Year’s Day the little fighter went into cardiac arrest again.
At just one month old the tiny baby’s lungs collapsed and Summer arrested for a third time.
Amanda tearfully added: “That was really scary because in the past whenever the breathing tube would go in, she would arrest.
“She continued to struggle for breath and went into her third cardiac arrest shortly after. It was complete panic mode.
“At this time, we waited in the parent room for an hour. I was beside myself, but we had made friends with the other parents visiting their child and they actually waited with us until Summer pulled through.
“I thought we would never get her home, there was a few times I looked at her and thought she’s never going to make it.”
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While Summer recovered from her surgery parents Amanda and Brian stayed at Ronald McDonald House. The community raised £495 on Crowdfund which went towards the family’s bills while Summer was treated.
Amanda said: “We want to thank the community for helping us. It was such a stressful time and we really didn’t need to worry about bills on top of everything.
“I also don’t know how we would have coped without the staff at Ronald McDonald House.
“One nurse told me ‘we are here to help the parents as well as the families’, I’ll never forget that.
“We also made friends with other parents in the house and that was really important to have that extra support.”
Summer was eventually moved from ICU to ward one and her mum was finally able to get quality bonding time with her. As Summer’s condition improved, she was finally cleared to go home in February and is a happy, healthy little girl.
Melissa McColl, health visitor, popped by while the Irvine Herald was visiting.
She said: “Summer has came on leaps and bounds, I can really see a difference in her already. She’s just a wee miracle.”
Amanda shared her advice for families going through a similar situation.
She said: “Don’t keep things bottled up – it only makes it worse. There is a lot of support available, I’m part of a Facebook croup called heart mummies and that has been a big help. Our families were also a huge help to us.
“The Ronald McDonald service was fantastic and I’m currently making up toiletry bags with the help of my family for others using the service which I’ll donate next month when we go for a visit.
“The full journey I kept saying I wanted to go home, but when it was time to leave I knew I would really miss all the wonderful people who work there and I’m so thankful they were there for us every step of the way.
“We are so proud of Summer, she is my little heart warrior.”
To donate to Summer’s fund, please visit here .
