Browse Sections

• Education
• Special reports

Against all odds.

Kirsty Elleray
31/10/2007

MIRACLE baby Lily May McManus – who was born with a hole in her heart – is celebrating her first birthday after surviving against all the odds.

For parents Kerry and Andy, of Brinnington Road, Portwood, it has been the worst and best year of their life.

But now after a lot of heartache, they are looking forward to a birthday party for their little fighter on Saturday.

Full time mum Kerry, 35, said: "We really wanted a baby but had a lot of problems, I had fertility tests and was about to start treatment when I found out I was pregnant."

But despite being told she could be having an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage and faced the possibility of having an abortion, they were reasurred by a junior doctor that it still could be ok.

"At eight weeks we had a scan and found it was a viable pregnancy," said Kerry. "We were elated and our decision is why Lily is here now.

"I had a really bad pregnancy and then had an emergency caesarean section and Lily was in intensive care for the next 11 days."

After four days out of hospital, Lily was back in Stepping Hill with broncolitis. She was then transferred to Pendlebury, where they discovered a hole in her heart.

The couple were told an operation would take place when Lily was six-months-old but because she was so poorly, she was taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, where open heart surgery was performed when she was three and a half months old. Kerry said: "Since then she has got better and better. She is a little fighter, our miracle."

"Nothing phases her, we found it hard to cope, but she was strong, which made us stronger."

While all of this was going on Andy, 32, a marketing manager, was made redundant, there was a family bereavement, and Kerry suffered a miscarriage. She has also suffered from post traumatic stress.

Kerry added: "We have been through so much, and would like to thank the paediatric unit at Stepping Hill, it was fantastic.

"Lily makes it all worthwhile, she is always laughing and smiling. She is a real chatter box and great company. We eventually want another baby – but not just yet!"