Shay Richardson’s Sixth Heart Surgery (And, He’s Only Six)

February 24th, 2009

Talk about inspirational? I just read this extra-ordinary story at The Chronicle about Shay Richardson. I thought you might enjoy it…

Shay Richardson is the picture of health just weeks after a life-saving operation. At just six years of age, he has undergone major surgery at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital after being born with faulty heart valves and three holes in his heart.

But only weeks after the open-heart surgery to replace a leaking valve, Shay, of Walker, Newcastle, looks like he hasn’t a care in the world as he runs around with his twin sister Ebony, who is fit and healthy.

His parents Andrew Gardner, 29, and Emma Richardson, 25, were told the six-hour operation had saved the youngster’s life. Andrew said, “To look at Shay you wouldn’t think anything was wrong with him as he’s always laughing and smiling, but he’s had a really difficult start to life and we’re so proud of how well he’s coped.

“He had an operation three weeks ago to replace a leaking heart valve and the surgeons said it went extremely well – they expected him to be in intensive care for about 12 days but he was only in for three days so he’s made an amazing recovery.”

Shay is currently on medication to prevent any blood clots. Had the surgery not been successful, consultants said the youngster would have had to be fitted with an artificial heart.

Andrew, who is unemployed, added: “We’ve known this operation was coming for a while but no matter how much you prepare for it, it’s always heartbreaking to see your son lying in a hospital bed. I didn’t sleep for days before the surgery, I was so worried about him.”

“Shay has had several operations before but because he was a bit older this time he was nervous and tearful as he understood what was happening. He’s such a strong lad and coped really well for his age. He’s a little fighter and is already getting back to his old self.”

Before Shay was born, major heart problems were detected during a routine pregnancy scan. But it was not until he was delivered that he was diagnosed with left atrial isomerism – an uncommon congenital heart disease, which is combined with a range of cardiac abnormalities.

Within weeks of being born, Shay had his first heart operation and has had five more since. Emma added, “He’s a lovely little boy and he’s always so brave.”

Andrew, who thanked the Freeman operating team, added: “All the staff and surgeons at the hospital have been fantastic and we want to say a huge thank you to them.”

Keep on tickin’ Shay!

Adam

About The Author: Adam Pick is a double, heart valve surgery patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. This unique book integrates clinical research with the personal experiences of 135 former patients to help future patients and their caregivers better understand the problems, the opportunities and the realities of heart valve surgery. To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here.