A five-year-old girl has been in and out of hospital since she was born after being diagnosed with a rare kidney condition.
Mum, Emily Patterson, travels over two hours from home in Stranraer to Glasgow Children's Hospital almost every month to ensure that her daughter, Victoria, receives the care she needs. The schoolgirl has nephrotic syndrome, which causes her to pass too much protein in her urine. The brave youngster also has pulmonary stenosis, which affects her heart.
It has been a long journey for the family, who knew something was wrong with their daughter shortly after she was born.
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The mum-of-three told Glasgow Live: "Victoria was born in December 2017 and when she was three weeks old she was taken to Dumfries hospital because she was really unwell.
"They did some tests and they found out that she had a heart murmur. Originally they thought it was caused by a hole in the heart which would close itself, however, during that same visit they found blood in her urine.
"She was in and out of hospital quite often with illnesses. They kept monitoring this murmur that she had.
"When she was six months old we saw a cardiologist to make sure that it was just muscular. When she saw the cardiologist they found that she had a heart condition which was causing the murmur.
"Victoria has pulmonary stenosis, which means the valves in her heart are thin so they struggle to pump the blood away.
"When the time comes she'll need surgery to repair that.
"Her paediatrician was still finding blood in her urine during every single test. In September 2019, they decided to investigate why there was blood in her urine.
"They took blood to test and the next day I got a phone call saying that we needed to be in hospital ASAP because if it is what they think it is Victoria need treatment straight away.
"We were in hospital for five nights after Victoria was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome, a rare kidney condition. She has very high levels in her urine.
"So she started on steroids and other diuretics but it wasn't really helping.
"I got told one time that there were 5200mg of protein in her urine, normal people would just have 15mg. We were told to head to Glasgow Children's Hospital and go to the renal ward.
"She had a lot of tests to find out why her medication wasn't working. We were back and forth to Glasgow every few days, then it was every few weeks just because the proteins weren't improving.
"We were later told that the condition was genetic.
"If it was normal nephrotic syndrome she would go into remission, but with it being genetic it won't go away.
"At some point in her life, her kidney's will fail and she will need a transplant. Right now we take her to the Children's Hospital every two months or more if needed."
Both Emily and dad, Paul, were left shocked when they were told that their youngest child will need to go through major surgery later in life.
The parents initially struggled with the news, however, they came to the quick realisation that they needed to be there for Victoria.
Emily said: "I need to cope with it because Victoria needs me to be strong.
"When I was first told it felt like the whole world came crashing down. I had questioned why this was happening to Victoria?
"When we found out it was genetic I thought she was ill because of something we had done, but they don't think it has come from me or my husband.
"However, when you are initially told you are thinking about things you could do different. When I was told that she would need a transplant my mind just went blank, everything leaves you.
"She will also start on dialysis when it gets really bad, so we will be up and down more regular."
Although the condition has weakened her immune system and caused the five-year-old to have swelling on her face and body, she loves the road trips from Stranraer to the hospital.
Victoria has made lots of friends with the staff and her bubbly personality has shone through.
The proud mum said: "She doesn't know any different and she is always smiling. She loves going to the hospital, she shouts yay when we arrive in the car.
"She is always excited to see Dr Ben Reynolds. When she is getting her blood taken the play team are always there for her and she doesn't really notice.
"She just gets on with it which is good. Victoria is going to be back and forth to hospital now for the rest of her life, so it is good that she is comfortable."
Now the Patterson family are taking on the 15,000 steps every day in May challenge for Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity.
The loving mum wants to give back to those who have helped her daughter.
She said: "They do so much for us.
"We have two other children and they include them in everything. During hospital stays they help with meal vouchers because if you are there for a long time it can add up financially.
"The play team are always there to help. They arrange days out for the children as well. The one we went on was the M & D's Santa's Grotto and we were able to take our other two kids as well.
"Sometimes you worry that they may be forgotten about but the children's charity supports the whole family."
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