Miracle baby born with heart outside her body is home from hospital at last after surviving three life-saving operations and two ‘fatal infections’
Vanellope Wilkins, now 14 months, was given less than a ten per cent chance of survival — but she battled through
MIRACLE baby Vanellope Wilkins is finally home from hospital — after surviving three life-or-death operations and two potentially fatal infections.
Vanellope, now 14 months, was not expected to survive after being born with her heart outside her body.
She needed emergency surgery within an hour of birth to put her heart into her chest.
Two further operations followed. And then at just a month old she was struck by the first of two chest infections that could have killed her.
But somehow Vanellope battled through. She has now been discharged from hospital and is home with mum Naomi and dad Dean.
Naomi, 32, said: “When we walked through the door I became quite emotional. It was overwhelming — the moment we had wanted for so long.”
Vanellope, named after the stubborn princess from the Wreck-It Ralph Disney movie, spent her first evening playing with brothers Caleb, ten, and Jacob, six.
Naomi, of Bulwell, Notts, said: “They’d bought balloons and welcome home banners.
“Caleb came running down the stairs and Jacob gave her a big hug. The best part is being a family. We can enjoy her at home with everyone else.”
Vanellope was given less than a ten per cent chance of survival after she was delivered at Leicester’s Glenfield Hospital.
But her resilience astounded the medics whose life-saving care for Vanellope won one of The Sun’s Who Cares Wins award.
Naomi said: “She definitely gives off an ‘I can do this attitude.’ She’s really stubborn.”
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Vanellope was born without a breastbone and will need a pioneering operation to create one.
Naomi said: “They want to wait until her chest and lungs have developed more. It’s never been done on a child.”
Dean, 44, added: “She’s faced more in her first year and a half than most people face in a lifetime — and she’s come out smiling every time. She’s a survivor.”
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