Breakfast Show Blog
Cooper's Story Posted by Cosi 3 February, 2010 - 3:34 PM
Cosi with Bronnie, Steve and Cooper
Bronnie and Steve found out there was something wrong with their son's heart when he was till in the womb. Read 10-month-old Cooper's heartbreaking story, told by his mum Bronnie and send your messages of support.
It was the 28th of July when my husband Steve and I found out that we were expecting our first baby. It had only been about 3 months since our wedding and we were so excited about starting our family.
Are you, or someone you know going through a hard time? Rabbit, Amber and Cosi are here to help.
During our twenty week scan we were told that our baby had something wrong with his/her heart; that the right side was too small and the flow through the pulmonary valve was restricted. We left the hospital with only this information and a date in two weeks time to see a cardiologist. We tried so hard to remain positive until we had a diagnosis, but our next scan with cardiologist Terry Robertson confirmed our fears. Our baby was diagnosed with Pulmonary Artesia and Hypoplastic Right Heart. His pulmonary valve had now closed completely; the pathway that would supply blood to his lungs when he was born. Even with surgery, our baby`s heart would never function properly and he would tire very quickly. We were given the option of termination but just couldn`t bear not giving our little angel a chance to fight for his life. I remember sitting on the curb of the hospital that day feeling like the world had turned against us. How could this happen? What had we done wrong? Our baby didn`t deserve this, he wasn`t even given a chance to be healthy. That was all we wanted.
Cooper was just one week old when he had his open heart surgery. I`ll never forget how I felt as I kissed my tiny little boy goodbye and watched him disappear through the big doors ready for the operation. Words cannot describe it. The next 4 hours felt like forever, waiting for the phone to ring. Finally we received a phone call from Coopers amazing surgeon, Igor Konstantinov. He said that the operation had been a success and that we were able to come and see him as soon as he was settled into ICU. We were ecstatic to hear that our little boy was ok and rushed straight to the hospital to wait. Nothing could have prepared us for what we were about to see. Cooper`s tiny little body was so lifeless as he lay completely covered by tubes and bandages. He was hooked up to so many different machines. There was a massive oxygen tube down his nose that was breathing for him. We couldn`t even hold his little fingers as they were covered too. And yet we were so relieved, he had made it through the toughest part and was now on the road to recovery.
Cooper is now 10 months old. It has been a very difficult journey and Cooper has been put through so much. Understandably, he is quite an unsettled baby and has found it hard to maintain routines. We are due to go back to Melbourne for his second operation at the end of February. We know that it is just another obstacle we have to go through and that, like all the hard times we have endured, it will be worth every minute. We are so grateful for our little angel, he is our world.
We would just like to say a huge thankyou to HeartKids SA and the amazing ongoing support they have given our family. They have definitely made this journey easier and have helped us realise just how much hope there is for Cooper`s future.
Leave your comment
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Lucy Cornes says
Thanks for your compassion and empathy Cosi in highlighting the plight of HeartKids. Go Cooper, you little star. Already making a big difference in your life by using your story to bring awareness to childhood heart disease. Good luck little man.
Posted Thursday 4 February, 2010 8:19 AM -
Juanita Swinbourne says
heart kids does fantastic work. Good luck to cooper and Bronnie and Steve hang in there.
Posted Thursday 4 February, 2010 9:18 AM
My husband Mark and I know what it's like as our 16yr old daughter, Melissa had her heart surgery in nov last year. We had known that she had a problem since birth but they didn't think that it needed to be fixed till last year. I admit we did got complacent about her condition and when they said she had to have surgery it hit us like a tonne of bricks. Mel was such and active girl that we just didn't notice she was any different to the other kids her age. Today is her 16th birthday and thank to the surgeon and wonderful staff at the Melbournes childrens hosptial she is doing great. Our own womens and childrens hospital have been great too, they have taken care not only of Mel but have been there for Mark and I too. Mel is well on the way to recovery. So Bronnie and Steve keep your heads held high because we know that you will be well looked after and don't be afraid to ask for help because all the staff of all the above mention are there for you. Juanita -
raelene rosewall says
I would just like to say that my god son Cooper is the strongest little man i know and even though what he has been through when he smiles it lights up the room and i thank bronny and steve for doing such a great job and letting us be part of his world xx Rae, mother of 3 xx
Posted Thursday 4 February, 2010 11:22 AM
