23 December 2023 , 07:32
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The last time Grace, Nour and Beatrix saw each other, they were being kept alive by mechanical hearts as they waited for lifesaving transplant operations.
But when they met up this week, they were able to hug for the first time, with no wires or tubes to get in the way. Between them, they spent more than four years waiting for new hearts.
Nour Hussein, aged nine, began complaining of tummy aches in February last year. Scans revealed the left side of her heart was enlarged. As her condition deteriorated, she was put into an induced coma on life support for two weeks. She was then transferred to the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, where she eventually had a transplant last Christmas before returning home in February this year.
Grace Westwood, four, was rushed to hospital in March 2020 and suffered eight cardiac arrests in a day. After being fitted with the country’s first mobile mechanical pump at the Freeman Hospital, she received her transplant in May 2022.
Beatrix Adamson-Archbold, two, received her transplant in June this year, having fallen ill last May with an enlarged heart. Her mum Cheryl and dad Terry made the decision to donate organs from her sister Isabel, who was stillborn five years earlier.
Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him
Nour’s dad Ammar, from Burnley in Lancashire, said: “Nour was so excited to see Grace and Beatrix. It was lovely seeing them all playing together and holding hands. They have such a special friendship.”
Beatrix and Nour at the Fenwick Christmas window (Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)Grace’s mum, Becci, from Birmingham, said: “We waited so long, I started to wonder if we would ever get home. Last week, she had her first Christmas carol concert at nursery, which was quite emotional. We have dreamed of things like that for so long. Anyone who saw the girls now would have no idea what they have been through.”
Terry, a police sergeant from Burnopfield in County Durham, said: “After Beatrix had her transplant, we talked to her about her new heart and she reached up and touched her chest. She definitely understood what had happened. Spending Christmas at home as a family will be so special.”