Sisters’ special bond
SIBLINGS HAD SAME HEART OP JUST ONE DAY APART
IT’S one of the closest connections there is, but sisters Becky and Ellie Carberry have been through more than most.
The Ashington siblings underwent open heart surgery within two days of each other after doctors discovered they had “identical” heart defects.
They spent days in Newcastle’s Freeman hospital as surgeons worked to fix the holes in both their hearts.
The family’s ordeal started in February 2009, when Ellie and Becky, then aged two and seven, were playing at bedtime and Ellie got her fingers stuck in Becky’s bedroom door.
While she was in hospital getting her fingers fixed, doctors realised Ellie had a problem with her heart.
A scan revealed she had an atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) – a hole in the heart.
Becky was also tested when it was found she had many of the same symptoms, and was found to have the same condition.
Mum Kim Carberry, 37, said: “The doctor said their hearts were almost identical – defects and all.”
Becky had her open heart surgery on August 17, 2009, followed by Ellie just one day later.
“Nothing can prepare you for seeing your child full of tubes and wires, helpless and choking on a breathing tube,” said Kim.
“But the day after Ellie’s surgery they slowly both had tubes and wires removed and more heart scans.
“We spoke with the doctors and they said the holes in their hearts had been fixed.”
Seven years on and Becky, 14, and Ellie, nine, are today normal young girls leading full lives.
Kim said: “It seems dramatic saying it was life-saving but if they didn’t have the surgery they would have died by their teen years.
“Ellie doesn’t really remember much about her stay in hospital but Becky does.
“It makes me sad that her heart defect wasn’t picked up earlier in her life then she wouldn’t have the awful memories.
“But for every bad memory there is a good one of our stay in hospital, particularly the amazing nurses and the fantastic surgeon who saved my girls’ lives.”
Kim has now shown her gratitude by entering the Freeman in the ‘Cine-makeover’ campaign, run by Finite Solutions, which asked nominees to submit a short description of what the new facility could be used for first.
Kim’s entry said: “When both of my girls had open heart surgery there we spent time in the play room. I think the first use of the new cinema installation should be to host a Frozen party with a big sing-along. There would, of course, have to be ice cream served and everyone would have to dress up!” After winning the most public votes, the Freeman Hospital will now receive a cinema room worth more than £15,000, with a full suite of top-of-the-range equipment, state-of-the-art surround sound, Blu-Ray player and games console, as well as a series of children’s movies. Ward Sister Lesley Hamilton said: “We are absolutely delighted to be receiving the cine-makeover and couldn’t be happier to receive such a fantastic prize. “The prize will greatly assist us with bringing joy and relaxation for our child patients and visitors to our wards.”