Kaylee's Story

Medical history was made at the Freeman Hospital when Kaylee Davidson, at just 4 months old, was given a new heart. In April this year she celebrated her 21^st birthday.

Kaylee was Britain’s youngest successful heart transplant patient when she had the life-saving surgery at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle on 14^th October 1987. Only two other babies had been given heart transplants in the UK and both had not survived.

“It was a very scary time,” says mum Carol. “She was a very healthy baby then one day she developed what seemed like a flu-like bug and within days she was critically ill in intensive care literally fighting for her life.”

Kaylee was diagnosed with viral cardiomyopathy which had severely damaged her heart. Her only hope was a heart transplant, but the operation had never been successful on a young baby outside the USA.

Kaylee with mum 10 days after her transplant
(photograph used courtesy of Rod Wilson, Newcastle Evening Chronicle)

“Agreeing to the heart transplant was the most important decision of my life and also Kaylee’s. But the surgeon Christopher McGregor and the hospital gave amazing reassurance and I had no choice but to trust them,” said Carol, who now works as a project manager for Transplant Sport UK. “The joy of Kaylee being given a second chance was overwhelming”.

Two decades later, Kaylee is a living testament to the skill and instinct of those surgeons. So much so that she regularly represents the UK transplant team in athletics and badminton, competing in the World Transplant Games from an early age.

Kaylee with three medals she won at the recent European Transplant Games in France.

Kaylee says “I feel great and I have a normal and happy life. I can’t believe that I am now 20 years on from my transplant. I often think about my donor family and can’t thank them enough for the second chance I was given to live.”

The heart transplant programme was started at the Freeman Hospital in 1985 and since then there have been many well-publicised milestones and innovations. It was at the Freeman that the first successful single lung transplant in Europe was carried out and this was followed by many other pioneering operations including heart and lung, double lung and live lung transplants.

Today, the Freeman carries out around 80 heart and lung transplants every year, the largest programme of its kind in the UK.

Patient thank you letter to Ward 9A

On Tuesday 27 February 2007 my husband became ill whilst at work and suffered a heart attack. He was taken initially to Wansbeck Hospital and then subsequently transferred to your hospital (Ward 9A) for angioplasty treatment to be carried out and remained there until being discharged back into the care of Wansbeck Hospital the following day.

My family and I were greatly impressed with the high degree of care and professionalism demonstrated by all staff involved in the treatment. Everyone involved was caring and informative – outlining exactly what and why they were doing during a very distressing time for all. I have no doubt that the treatment administered saved my husband’s life.

I would like to pass on our many thanks to all the staff concerned. My husband is now at home and recovering well.

SD

Patient thankyou letter to Wards 24, 25 and 26

As a recent patient in Wards 24, 25 and 26 of the Freeman Hospital, I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude for the excellent care provided to me during my stay. The staff were excellent and I was shown civility and kindness throughout.

I should be pleased if you would kindly convey my grateful thanks to all concerned.

RP

Patient thankyou letter to Ward 23

To all the staff on Ward 23

Just a small note to say a very very big thank you to you all for the care, love and affection you gave our daughter during her time with you.

The standard of care, support, understanding and professionalism shown by you all was truly amazing.

Throughout this difficult time there was always someone on hand to talk to and help us for which we will be forever grateful.

R, N & F E

Patient thankyou letter to Ward 4

I would like to take this opportunity to tell you of my recent treatment at the Freeman Hospital. At Christmas 2006 I was diagnosed as suffering from high blood pressure, and lack of kidney function. As a result of this I had regular appointments at the kidney clinic and Ward 4 where I underwent a kidney biopsy.

I then attended regular appointments at outpatients where my blood pressure was monitored and my medication was recommended.

During the course of this treatment a heart defect which I have had since birth was noted. I was then required to attend other appointments to have Echo and ECG procedures. The most recent was yesterday after which I was discharged to re-attend in 2 years.

During the course of all the above I have been delighted by the caring, highly professional way in which I have been treated. I have nothing but praise for all those persons at Freeman Hospital who have assisted me during this time.

We hear “horror stories” about patients’ treatment in Hospital, however my treatment was exemplary and in the highest traditions of The National Health Service.

I would like you to bring the contents of this letter to the attention of all those involved, to let them know just how much they are appreciated.

RB

Patient thankyou letter to Ward 27A

I write as a single lung transplant patient, discharged last Saturday from Ward 27A at the Freeman Hospital. 

I can’t begin to express my gratitude and admiration for the care and skill from which I’ve benefited since admittance for surgery on January 9^th. I have been nursed through various crises and owe my life several times over to Professor Dark, Professor Corris, their colleagues and the nursing staff on ICU and 27A, not forgetting the encouragement and skill of the physios. 

I am now back home, the lung is working well and I am receiving continued physiotherapy at our local cottage hospital. It is such a joy to have been given back my life and I wanted to write to express my and my husband’s appreciation of your incredible staff and facilities. Please pass on our thanks to the surgical team. You must be very proud of their achievements. 

With many, many thanks.

RP

Patient thankyou letter to Ward 29

I recently spent several days in Ward 29 and cannot speak highly enough of the care I received from every member of staff. Everyone did their duty efficiently and what is more, cheerfully, filling everyone in the ward with confidence.

Very many thanks to all concerned. 

LK

Thankyou to Cardio Staff from Mr BY

On Monday 11^th May, my wife suffered a heart attack at home, at 8 o’clock in the morning. I phoned our home Doctors, and the nurse told me what to do, after explaining the situation to her. The ambulance arrived after only a few minutes, and the crew, a young man and a young woman, looked after my wife in the most caring and professional manner, I have ever seen, I can only describe them as angels. After being taken to the RVI my wife was transferred to the Freeman Hospital, where she received care and attention by the dedicated staff who in my opinion excel themselves. After spending a couple of nights at the Freeman, my wife was taken back to the RVI where she spent the rest of her stay in hospital and made a good recovery. I would like to say a big, big thank you to everyone who was involved in my wife’s case, and God Bless the NHS and all who work in it.

Thank you all once again.

BY

Thank you from Martha's mum following heart transplant surgery

“All the staff that have been involved with Martha have shared such compassion and humanity combined with such a positive and fun attitude that they have turned a horrendous experience into one filled with happy memories. We have made friends for life. Martha loves them as do we. They are all very special, talented and extremely devoted. They say it’s their job – but you know it is much more than that.”  Martha’s Mum - August 2007