Adorable toddler has one wish from Santa this Christmas – a new heart and the chance to live after ‘nightmare’ diagnosis
A TODDLER given a "nightmare" diagnosis after catching a common childhood virus is asking Father Christmas for a life-saving heart transplant this Christmas.
Little Willow Stansfield, 18 months, was diagnosed with end-stage heart failure in August after having two cardiac arrests.
The tot caught a common and contagious virus before deteriorating in what her mum, Elisha-Mai, 18, has described as a "living nightmare".
Without a heart transplant, Willow - who's still little enough to use a dummy - is at risk of dying.
Elisha-Mai says the experience is "incredibly isolating, unpredictable, worrying and scary".
Elisha-Mai, a stay at home mum, from Bury, Greater Manchester, said: "We never know what tomorrow will bring.
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"We don't know how long it will be until Willow receives that life-saving gift of heart transplant.
"The wait time has gone to 18 to 24 months for a transplant but it could be longer or a shorter wait.
"She's cheeky, intelligent, amusing, and despite everything going on, she still tries to be the happiest little girl."
Shortly after Willow's first birthday, she began having symptoms of slapped cheek syndrome, which has similar signs to a common cold or flu and is caused by a bug called parvovirus.
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The illness - which can cause a telltale rash on both cheeks - is very common in children and tends to go away in a matter of weeks.
But Willow's symptoms lingered.
After further visits to her GP and A&E, followed by treatment with antibiotics, she was admitted to North Manchester General Hospital, where x-rays showed evidence of pneumonia.
Her condition worsened and she was transferred to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool for an echocardiogram, which showed heart failure.
A month later, after treatment failed to manage her condition, she was diagnosed with end-stage heart failure, when the heart is too weak to pump blood effectively.
Following her diagnosis, Willow was transferred by helicopter to the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne - more than 150 miles away from the family's home.
We're not waiting for a child to die, unfortunately children are already dying. We're waiting for somebody to be brave and make the most selfless decision in their time of heartbreak and devastation to save children like Willow
Elisha-Mai Stansfield
While mum Elisha-Mai has moved in with young Willow, dad Luke Stansfield, 19, a mechanic, makes the mammoth journey to be with his only child every weekend.
Elisha said: "It's been scary in ways nobody could ever prepare for, it has been exhausting and there's always a feeling of uncertainty. We feel helpless.
"It's horrible for me being alone [during the week] but also horrible for Luke having to leave to go home without us."
Willow's Christmas wish
Willow now faces spending Christmas in the paediatric intensive care unit, rather than being at home with her family.
Elisha-Mai said: "Willow will wake up surrounded by the nurses and not with her mum and dad like she should be.
"We will try and make Christmas as normal as possible and make the most out of a bad situation. However, it will never be the same as if she was at home."
Now the Elisha-Mai is calling for others to think about what they would do if their child's organs could help others were the worst to happen.
What is slapped cheek syndrome and who is at risk?
Slapped cheek syndrome, also referred to as 'fifth disease', is a common viral infection in children that usually gets better on its own in three weeks.
It's rarer in adults, but can be more serious.
Symptoms
The first sign is usually feeling unwell for a few days. Symptoms may include:
- a high temperature
- a runny nose and sore throat
- a headache
A red rash may then appear on one or both cheeks - although adults don't usually get the rash.
A few days later, a spotty rash may appear on the chest, back, arms and legs.
The rash can be raised and harder to see on brown and black skin.
It usually fades within one to three weeks, but can sometimes last longer.
How slapped cheek syndrome is spread
The virus spreads by coughs and sneezes or by touching contaminated objects.
But it can be hard to avoid spreading it because most people don't know they have it until they get the rash.
It can only be spread before the rash appears.
How to treat slapped cheek syndrome
Slapped cheek syndrome can be treated at home with rest, plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, and by taking paracetamol and ibuprofen if you feel uncomfortable.
You should see a GP if you think you have slapped cheek syndrome and you're pregnant, you have a blood disorder, or you have a weakened immune system.
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if you think you have slapped cheek syndrome and you have:
- very pale skin
- shortness of breath
- extreme tiredness
- fainted
Source: NHS
She said: "It's easy to believe you will never be in a position to make that tough decision for your children. We never thought we would be in this position with Willow.
";If you were in our position would you want your child to receive a heart transplant to survive?
"I just ask that you think of that if you have the conversation about making that decision for your children.
"We're not waiting for a child to die, unfortunately children are already dying.
"We're waiting for somebody to be brave and make the most selfless decision in their time of heartbreak and devastation to save children like Willow.
"A successful heart transplant would change Willow's life.
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"It's a taboo subject and I completely understand that it can be hard to have that conversation.
"But that one conversation can save so many lives."
