A premature baby who underwent major heart surgery is a "warrior and inspiration", her proud parents said.
Born three weeks prematurely, Savannah Cummings weighed just over five pounds. But it wasn't until she wasn't meeting her milestones and not putting on weight that her parents Stephen and Sharon Ruddy began to suspect something was wrong.
Taking their daughter to Warrington Hospital, young Savannah was soon diagnosed with Complete AVSD meaning she had two holes in her heart and it was not working the way it should. Dad Stephen, of Lodge Lane, said: "All of her energy was going because of this heart condition.
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"She needed special medication for it. We've always had healthy kids so this was a lot to take in and it did worry us. We tried to stay positive but we found out she had to have heart surgery."
The family were told Savannah, who was born on August 9 last year, would need to build up her strength for open heart surgery. But for the next seven months, she came down with various illnesses, pushing the operation further back.
Savannah was very ill with covid and bronchiolitis as well as a cold virus every time her sister Arya Skye came home from nursery. But despite the fact any illness could result in serious implications, Savannah defied the odds.
Dad Stephen, who moved to Liverpool in 2020, added: "We basically sheltered her for seven months, it was a really worrying time. We were transferred to Alder Hey and they were fantastic from the minute we got there.
"It was the most worrying day and it was heart-breaking seeing her tied to all the machines but the staff were amazing start to finish."
Savannah's surgery was around six hours long, and Stephen said she was back on a ward within 23 hours and back home within six days. Describing their daughter as a "warrior and inspiration", Stephen will be setting himself the challenge of completing the Chester Marathon to give back to the hospital that saved his daughter's life.
Having already surpassed his target, he told the ECHO: "I've always struggled with my fitness but seeing Savannah go through this have given me a new lease of life really. I thought I'd taken on a bit much but lots of people have been donating and it's given me the motivation.
"It's one of the best hospital's in the world and is amazing what it's doing for families. Our daughter was deteriorating towards the end and it was getting to the point where she needed this surgery.
"She's now like a new baby, she has been such an inspiration. It felt like we were never out of Alder Hey, she got really sick and had a few bad nights but either side of that she was such a happy little baby.
"You can see the difference in her. She's just amazing. Me and her mum are very proud of her. Sharon fibromyalgia and I care for her. I had to give up my job as a chef because it was too much but I'm back working part time and Sharon has been showing so much strength as well.
"We should've picked this up a lot earlier. We missed a scan with things going on but the 20-week scan is so important, they are so good at picking things up early so attend your scans.
"We are just really grateful for everyone who has supported us through this whole time and a big thanks to Alder Hey for what they've done for our baby."
Anyone wishing to donate can do so online here.
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