A Scots mum has praised staff at a Glasgow hospital for providing her four and a half month old son with life saving treatment.
Laurie Anderson was 'shocked' when she was told during her 20 week scan that her unborn baby boy, James Moir, had Tetralogy of Fallot, a combination of four congenital heart defects.
The 31-year-old travelled from Aberdeen alongside her fiance Daniel Moir to the Royal Hospital for Children where James would undergo open heart surgery.
READ MORE: Over 200 staff at Glasgow's Mortons rolls made redundant as rescue talks continue
Laurie told Glasgow Live: "The sonogropher said that there might be a small hole in James' heart but often they close before birth.
"We went in the next day for a doctor to scan me and that's when they discovered it wasn't just a hole in James' heart he had a condition called Tetralogy of Fallot.
"There was four defects with his heart, we were told he would need open heart surgery to survive. That was a real shock to us and it was really hard.
"You always want a happy healthy baby and it's not something you expect.
"We went to Glasgow and they confirmed that he would need surgery within his first year of life.
"With Tetralogy of Fallot some babies need surgery right away but luckily James’ heart was growing well during my pregnancy scans. I was originally meant to be giving birth in Glasgow but because everything was ok I was allowed to give birth in Aberdeen."
Prior to the life changing surgery James was still bringing a smile to his parents' faces.
However, the incredible care and work of the staff at the hospital mean that the now one-year-old will keep Daniel and Laurie smiling for years to come.
The mum said: "His heart was doing really well but then he was struggling to gain any weight and keep down any food.
"He would have the surgery on July 27 in Glasgow. Luckily it went really, really well.
"He was only in intensive care for 18 hours and was in hospital for six days in total. Then when we came home, you would never have known he had open heart surgery other than a scar on his chest.
"He is now thriving. Before surgery James was sick quite a lot.
"Three days after he was smiling again and he was happy.
"After surgery he was so much brighter and he looked so much healthier. He has plenty of energy and he is eating a lot better."
One in 125 babies have holes in their hearts at birth and it usually heals over time. Laurie is now part of a social media group with other mothers who have seen their children go through open heart surgery.
She said: "There is a Facebook group that I joined.
"So I got to know a lot of mums and they can talk you through it. It is so good to see other mums showing their kids who are on the otherside of the surgery.
"Now I speak to mums who have children waiting for the surgery and talk them through it. At the time I knew nobody that this had happened to."
The traumatic experience has changed Laurie's outlook on life.
The Aberdonian couple were supposed to tie the knot just before the pandemic and they were left shattered when they were forced to cancel their special day.
However, they now realise that as long as they have their health nothing else matters.
The 31-year-old said: "We were due to get married in 2020 and then covid happened so we moved it to 2021 and covid was still around. We never got married and I remember being devastated because we planned this beautiful wedding.
"Now that doesn't seem as important. Silly things like flowers on a table are stunning but that doesn't matter.
"It has shifted our perspective on a lot of things and we really want to enjoy our time with him. He is learning to walk right now and would have never been possible without the surgery."
As a thank you to those who made sure that James could celebrate his first birthday they have asked friends and family to donate to the hospital rather than buying gifts.
Laurie explained: "We want the money put to a better cause and help the children at the hospital who maybe are there long-term.
"At this age James is not going to be aware that he isn't getting lots of presents. We want people to donate to the hospital because without them James wouldn't be here.
"They looked after myself and my fiance Daniel. There was a single bed in the room with your baby but they made sure Daniel had a travellodge booked and it was all paid for.
"We saw lots of kids in the playroom and they would take toys back to there room. We want to make sure that continues.
"The surgeons do this everyday and it might not be a big deal to them.
"But to us we will never forget that day. All the staff there will never realise how greatful we all are.
"We will never be able to thank them enough."
To donate to the fundraiser click here
READ NEXT:
Mortons Rolls issue redundancy notices as workers told 'regard your service as terminated'
Glasgow's 10 most potholed streets as Great Western Road tops list of shame
Tommy Sheridan heartbroken after mum dies in Cardonald flat fire
Glasgow's £3.5million wage bill for politicians with Sturgeon city's highest earner
Union Bears boycott Rangers' Scottish Cup clash amid 'offensive anti-police' banner row
