Stevenage baby who had open heart surgery is an ‘inspiration’

Logan had to undergo open heart surgery when he was less than a year old (Image: Archant)

Stevenage couple Gemma Brown and Max Kier learnt that their unborn son Logan had tetralogy of Fallot (FOT) – a condition affecting just four in every 10,000 people – following a 20-week pregnancy scan at Lister Hospital in the town.

Max Kier and Gemma Brown pictured with Logan (Image: Archant)

Last February, aged five months, Logan underwent open heart surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

He also suffered a heightened heart rate and collapsed lung while he was in hospital.

“What we went through as parents was the worst experience we have ever had. When you’re pregnant you assume everything is going to be okay and you’ll be like everyone else,” said Gemma, who contacted the Comet to share their story as part of CHD Awareness Week, which runs until tomorrow (Friday).

“He would become very quickly get short of breath and turn blue when he was cold. He just stopped gaining weight when he was about two months old.

“We had to wait many hours while Logan was in theatre having his chest pulled apart. It was hard to see my own baby this way but somehow when you are put in this situation you don’t see all of that, you just see your baby sleeping away and pray for the best.

“After his surgery he had a lot more colour in his face and started gaining weight. There are some things, like playing sports and going on fairground rides, that he will struggle with but I’m so glad he will still lead a relatively normal life.”

The family will celebrate Logan’s ‘Happy Heart Day’ on Wednesday – exactly a year since he underwent his operation.

“It is going to be an emotional day for us as a family but we are going to celebrate,” added Gemma.

“He really is our inspiration.”

For more information on CHD Awareness Week and the condition visit www.chd-uk.co.uk