World Heart Month - Zoya, the miracle baby’s story
TW: MENTIONS OF PREGNANCY TERMINATION
Born at 1kg, the weight of a bag of sugar, equating to only 2.2 pounds, little Zoya went against the odds after being told several times she might not survive.
She has spent her whole life in between our Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Zoya is one of four siblings being born at 34 weeks and four days via C-section.
The tot has been treated by our team of Cardiac Specialist Consultants including Dr Tristan Ramcharan. Dr Christine Mott has also been supporting Zoya and her family on their palliative journey to make sure Zoya is comfortable and supported in the best way possible.
Dr Mott said: “Palliative Care met Halimah at a time when clinical teams were very concerned whether her baby would survive. It has been so exciting to see her do so well and develop such a personality despite all of the challenging times in her care.
“It's a wonderful part of working in Palliative Care that we can see children do better than expected.”
The 18-month-old from Walsall was born at our Women’s Hospital and shortly after being born she was moved to our PICU (Paediatric Intensive Care Unit) and CICU (Cardiac Intensive Care Unit) after having a pacemaker fitted at a few days old.
Halimah said: “Zoya is our miracle baby. She loves sensory play and art. To me, Zoya is a bundle of joy and has shown me a different side to life, making me resilient. She really has proved everyone wrong after there was a high chance she might not survive.
“I was told at my 20-week scan that she wasn’t growing properly, and our baby was very sick. We have been told repeatedly that she won’t survive and to terminate the pregnancy. I am very grateful for all the care, love and support that Zoya has received from everyone involved in her journey.”
“When she was born, she was taken straight away for checks and for a surgery. I didn’t get to hold her for four days as I was recovering from my C-section at the Women’s Hospital and Zoya was at the Children’s Hospital.
“It felt like the world stopped for six hours when she was in surgery at only just two weeks old. It was difficult being on the ward with lots of babies around knowing my baby was away from me. The nurses were kind and put me in a side room, but it was still difficult to hear all the babies’ noises.”
This World Heart Month, as a cardiac mum, Halimah is encouraging families and the general public to learn CPR.
“Since watching her have a cardiac arrest in the PICU ten minutes after holding her for the first time I was the most scared I have ever been in my entire life.
“I was too scared to leave her for too long for days to the point nurses had to tell me to go to my Parent Accommodation to rest and they would call me if there were any problems.”
Dr Tristan Ramcharan, Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist at our Children’s Hospital said: “Despite being in hospital for 18 months, and having huge medical challenges, Zoya has grown well and is a bundle of joy.
“She is a lovely and interactive little child. Mom has been a rock to the family, balancing both having to be in hospital with Zoya, as well as looking after her older kids at home.
“It is very inspiring to see the fight that both Zoya and her family have to get home despite such a long and protracted journey and despite several setbacks.”
Dr Ramcharan emphasised: “Learning CPR is important for every member of the public. If someone collapses in public, you may be the first person near to them and you could be the difference to help them survive before paramedics arrive.”
Halimah agrees with her daughter’s medical team. She said: “I think everyone should learn CPR because sometimes the Ambulance service cannot get there quick enough. Knowing CPR could save someone’s life until help arrives.”
Halimah and the family are practicing Muslims. During their time in patient, they have been seeking support from our Chaplaincy team.
“I have been really supported spiritually by the Chaplaincy team. They helped us get through this journey. I wasn’t very religious before Zoya’s situation in hospital. It has made me closer to God.
“I suffer with anxiety, listening to the Quran (religious book) soothed me and gave me inner peace. The Imam Suleman gave us a cube that played the Quran, and I played it continuously to Zoya. It felt like when I was not able to be with her, she was still protected by God.”
Imam, Sulayman Gaye said: “It is really special for us to get to work with Zoya and her mother Halimah. When we speak with patients we speak from the heart and build a connection with them. It isn’t always about religion, but about making the patient feel comfortable, giving them a shoulder to lean on.
“This is why the Quran cubes are so important. They light up to help keep children engaged and support them with their sensory needs whilst also helping them to absorb the words of the Quran in an engaging way.
Halimah said: “The family support workers were amazing as they have been with us for a long time. I felt comfortable to discuss anything with them as they gave a listening ear. I am not sure how I would have managed without them.”
Sam Sanghera, Palliative Care Family Support Worker said: “It has been, and continues to be, an honour and pleasure getting to know Zoya and her family celebrating her achievements during what has been and continues to be a challenging and frightening time.
“Zoya’s future is uncertain and her life fragile, but her resilience, and that of her family, is remarkable and being together and complete brings all of them, and therefore us, joy."
Throughout the Month of February, we will be regularly sharing stories about our patients and teams. Make sure to check it out.