Little Steven is facing yet another operation
ABABY who is about to undergo his second bout of major surgery could be given a heart valve from a cow.
Steven Bramhall, of Brinnington, has not yet celebrated his first birthday but will undergo his second major surgery at Alder Hey Hospital, in Liverpool.
He was born with congenital heart condition Tetraolgy of Fallot, which means he has two holes in his heart and a duct that will not stay open on its own.
The operation will fix a hole in his heart, widen one of its valves and swap another faulty one with either an artificial replacement or one from a cow, depending on which medics decide fits best.
Steven’s first open-heart surgery ended with him in intensive care after a cardiac arrest.
And when the family were able to bring him home, just over a month later their flat in Lancashire Hill and many of their possessions were destroyed in a fire which started in their tumble dryer.
But mum Jade Earp, 25, says the generosity shown in the aftermath helped them back on their feet. And this latest operation could be the last for Steven until his teenage years.
She said: “The possibility of it being a cow’s valve is strange and you wouldn’t think it was possible but if it works why not?
“It is amazing what can be done now. In a way it will be easier for us the second time as you realise how advanced the processes and medication has become and you have trust in the medics.
“We are quite anxious though after what he went through last time.”
The operation will be in the next couple of months and Steven, now aged 10 months, will have to stay in hospital for at least a week.
Following the fire the family, which also includes dad Steven Bramhall, 28 and three daughters Scarlett, six, Isla, four and Nicola, one, were rehomed on Brindale Road.
And since then the family say they have been overwhelmed by people’s generosity donating replacement items.
Altogether they were given 40 bin bags of clothes, 30 bin bags of toys plus £300 worth of items by Tesco in Portwood.
Jade said: “We were amazed by all the help and kind offers. We want to say a huge thank you as without all of this we would have really struggled.
“It makes you realise how many nice people are out there and we are extremely grateful for that.”