In a remarkable story of courage and medical excellence, a Wollongong family has shared their emotional journey through their newborn daughter's life-saving heart surgery performed when she was just three days old.
Layla's battle with congenital heart disease began immediately after her birth, when doctors discovered a serious heart defect that required urgent intervention. "We went from the joy of birth to facing every parent's worst nightmare in just hours," her mother recalled, the memory still raw with emotion.
The Critical First Days
At only 72 hours old, Layla was rushed into open heart surgery—a delicate procedure that would determine whether she would survive. The tiny infant, weighing just kilograms, faced operations that would challenge even the strongest adults.
"Seeing your newborn connected to all those machines, with tubes everywhere—it's something no parent should ever experience," Layla's father shared. "But we knew it was her only chance."
Heart Kids NSW: A Lifeline for Families
Throughout this harrowing experience, Heart Kids NSW became the family's rock. The organization provides essential support services to families navigating childhood heart conditions, offering everything from emotional counseling to practical assistance.
"They understood exactly what we were going through when no one else could," Layla's mother explained. "Other families who've walked this path became our strongest supporters."
The Road to Recovery
Today, Layla continues to defy odds, though her journey is far from over. She requires ongoing monitoring and will need additional surgeries as she grows. Her story highlights the critical importance of specialized cardiac care for infants and the resilience of families facing childhood heart disease.
Congenital heart defects affect approximately one in every 100 Australian babies, making Layla's story both unique and sadly familiar to many families across the country.
As Layla continues to reach milestones her parents once feared she might never see, her story serves as both a warning about the prevalence of childhood heart conditions and a testament to the power of modern medicine and community support.
