Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. I will be running the Bath Half 2011 in March followed by the Virgin London Marathon 2011 in April, In aid of Wessex Heartbeat.

 

In November 2010 one of my closest friends, Olivia Winstone, underwent major heart surgery. Five and a half weeks on, I'm thrilled to say she is well on her way to a full recovery due to the massive efforts from Wessex Cardiac Centre and Wessex Heartbeat.

 

Many of you who know her won't even be aware she was born with a congenital heart condition called Tricuspid Atresia, as surgery at 18 months old had allowed her to lead a relatively symptom-free life.

 

However, after developing arrythmias from the age of 16 and needing several ablations to suppress these, Liv experienced her most aggressive and compromising episodes of atrial flutter in January 2010.

 

It became clear that to live a healthy and stable life she needed a rare procedure called the TCPC Fontan Revision.

 

Despite having all her previous treatment at a London hospital, Liv chose Southampton General - where Wessex Heartbeat is based - as it has performed more of this specialised operation than anywhere in the UK.

 

One of Liv's major concerns was the proximity of her family during her hospital stay. Fortunately, as well as supporting the work of Wessex Cardiac Centre, Wessex Heartbeat runs Heartbeat House, a small house with 25 rooms dedicated to providing accommodation for relatives of cardiothoracic patients, and only two minutes from Liv's bedside in her ward. Her family members were able to stay in comfortable surroundings for the 13 days Olivia was in hospital, with the opportunity to cook and eat their own meals in the communal kitchen and living room areas. All this, at no cost to themselves.

 

£1000 can keep Heartbeat House running for 1 week. If you can help me give another person like Liv the comfort of having their family there to support them during the most intense and important days of their life, I'd be endlessly grateful. Almost as grateful as I am to Wessex Heartbeat for helping to deliver our Liv back in one piece!

 

Cheers, and my best wishes for a happy and healthy 2011.

Lou xx

ps. I'm sure Liv will be keeping an eye on this page so please do include any messages for her with your donation! Thanks!!

 

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