Nakita Ledwith

Nakita Ledwith
born:28/09/03
died:01/11/07
age: 4
from: Wishaw
daughter of Debbie Robb & Paul Ledwith
died due to: complex heart condition that caused (multi organ failure)

(i know its nice of people puttin on pictures but id rather just have ones of nakita thanks x)

Nakita you were born at wishaw general hospital on 28th september 2003. That was the happiest day of our life. Then sadly when you were 5 hours old you went blue during a feed and you got transfered to the queen mothers hospital at yorkhill in glasgow.Thats when we discovered you had several heart problems.

We were devastated couldn't believe what was happening we were so scared and thought we were going to lose you. The doctors told us there was lots of things they could do to help you thats when we were able to relax for a while. After a couple of days you had your first of many operations you had a shunt put in to help the blood flow through your body, after a month we finally got you home.

Getting you home was the best thing ever you got spoilt with everyone fussing around you but you loved it you loved all the attention you were always happy and smiling. You got out of breath easily and always looked a bit blue but you didnt let it bother you. Then when you were 6 months old you went back to hospital for another shunt to be put in and that seemed to help you. We got told you wouldn't need any more surgery until you were between 3 and 5 years old so we tried to get on with life as normal as possible. You had still to go to yorkhill every couple of months for your check ups and a catheter done but u would never have guessed anything was wrong with you, you loved playing with your toys and watching cartoons and you loved going to nursery painting and making princess cakes you just found it difficult with somethings like walking short distances and climbing the stairs. You loved playing with wee cousin jamie the two of yous were always getting up to mischeif.

Then in august 2007 we got the news we were dreading you had a date for your open heart surgery the 26th september 2007. We didn't want you going in then as your 4th birthday was just days away and we didn't want you missing your princess party you loved parties and never stopped talking about it for weeks you couldn't wait untill yours, you were so excited. Then we got told they had put the operation off untill the following week and we were so glad. You went in to hospital on the 1st october 2007 and you were going for your operation on the 3rd october 2007 you were getting an atrial switch operation and a rastelli, it would be 2 operations at once. They lasted 10 hours, it was the longest 10 hours ever, after that you were very sick but things started looking better after a couple of days then your kidneys got very poorly and you couldn't pass urine so you started getting a bit puffy and you got put onto kidney dialasis, after a week the doctors tried to close your chest but it put too much pressure on your heart and they had to open you back up that night. Your blood pressure was a bit low and doctors were a bit worried so they took you down to get a catheter done to see why you weren't getting better and during the catheter your heart stopped and they had to put you onto life support.

While you were on life support your blood pressure seemed to look better but you were bleeding heavily from your canula in your neck so they eventually stopped the bleeding and thats when the next blow came, your bowels had burst and because you were on life support they couldnt see what damage had been done because they couldnt operate. After a week on life support you were wakening up, trying to talk and holding ours hands, then because you had been on for a week they had to move your tubing round, it would mean stopping the machine for 40 seconds and when they tried to put you back on your blood pressure dropped so they kept you off and you seemed to take to it fine. All the doctors were amazed that you'd come off without getting weaned off slowly, so while you were off they got straight to work on your bowels.

During your bowel operation they'd to cut off a lot of your bowel and some of your intestine and the surgeon said in his 30 years as a surgeon he'd seen nothing like it, they'd to drain lots of yuk from your tummy and thats how you ended up with septicimea in your blood so your were put on antibiotics to fight the infection. After that things were starting to look better again, you were still on kidney dialysis and had to get a colostamy bag but you were awake again, talking and saying mummy, it was heartbreaking seeing you so ill but you knew we were always there beside you and you were looking a lot less puffy than you had been, we were hopeful that you were getting better and coming home soon.

Then on wednesday 31st October you started ouzing liquid out of your chest, so they took you to look in your tummy to see where the liquid was coming from and your tummy looked fine, so they took you back to theatre to check on your heart then your canula burst and they had to renew it during the operation, your heart stopped and they had to massage it for 15mins till it was working again, after that your blood pressure seemed fine and you had a settled night. On Thursday when daddy and nana were in visiting you your blood pressure was starting to drop, it was dropping quite quick and thats when the doctors told us you werent going to make it Princess, your wee body had been fighting so hard to stay it just couldnt take it any longer.

On Thursday 1st November 2007 you took your last breath and passed away peacefully surrounded by all your family who loved you, it was the worst moment of our lives having to say goodbye, but you'd fought so hard and we were so proud of you , then on wednesday 7th november we got you home you looked so peaceful like you were just sleeping , we got to spend all the time we needed saying goodbye.

On the 9th november it was your funeral , it was so special you would have loved it , we got you a white horse and carrage and a little pink coffin as pink was your favorite colour , there were lots of people there because everyone loved you and wanted to say goodbye , just wish it wasn't like this ,and we got you a princess headstone as you loved princesses and you were our wee princess ,and were going to get a princess memorial bench so we can come and sit with you , we'll come and see you everyday so you'll not be alone.

miss you millions princess
lots of love

Mummy & Daddy xxxx