I couldn't sleep last night after seeing the tv documentary showing babies and young children with serious heart conditions. I am not sure it is a good idea for me to watch such distressing programmes, but if I stayed clear of such issues would I be shying away/ ignoring real life and the pain of others?

I am also worried about the dignity of the children who appear too young to give consent re filming.

Is it just me, does anyone else have views/ advice.

Probably as well I decided not to have kids, don't think I could cope with the heart ache x

It's possible to be involved in the issues without having to watch the gross-out details; read accounts in newspapers, articles in journals and so on.

The fact that you're too squeamish to watch the operations themselves (as am I!) does not by any means imply that you're sticking your head in the sand and refusing to acknowledge they exist.

I had open heart surgery when I was 3 days old and it saved my life, for the time being.

I find open heart surgery facinating and the advance in its technology is amazing and beggers belief, yet I have to admit watching the programme while eating pizza was a bit much :hihi:

It goes to show how easy we take stuff for granted without knowing how it works, or how fragile it is. Our own bodies are more fragile than we think, and when it goes wrong you will be glad for the technology available these days that wasnt even thought of over 25 years ago.

The consent thing for me isnt an issue as this day in age a lot of poeple are forgetting the wonders that go into saving lives, the risks involved and just how joyful and even upsetting it can all be. The show will open a lot of peoples minds up and again show that the life we take for granted, isnt always handed on a plate, not to everyone. Some have to fight, and fight dam hard to enjoy life.

Sorry HeadingNorth, I can't even read the news papers, seems to be more the emotional side of it I struggle with rather than the 'gross-out details' - good point though.

Think I might sleep better after reading 'droplink's' success story, and the reasoning behind why they think it is useful to have such programmes.

Still can't imagine how difficult it must be for the parents

We watched this last night, pulled our heart strings...but may be by watching it you might become stronger.

I would have liked to have watched it, my daughter had open heart surgery when she was 17 months old, 9 hour surgery and life support for weeks, shes 28 now with children of her own, still has to see the cardiologist occasionaly but fit and well, I remember the doctor showing us the size of her heart and the hole and closing valves..drawn on paper..unbelievable the fantastic job they did to repair everything.

what programme was this - wouldnt mind watching this - my son is waiting an operation after june be nice to see what to expect...

I couldn't sleep last night after seeing the tv documentary showing babies and young children with serious heart conditions. I am not sure it is a good idea for me to watch such distressing programmes, but if I stayed clear of such issues would I be shying away/ ignoring real life and the pain of others?

I am also worried about the dignity of the children who appear too young to give consent re filming.

Is it just me, does anyone else have views/ advice.

Probably as well I decided not to have kids, don't think I could cope with the heart ache x

It was called Great Ormond Street, still available to watch on I-player
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00s107r

I too watched this and was in tears at the end, and I'm a shaven headed 6ft2" bloke! The technology and expertise was just amazing.
As soon as this went off I went straight upstairs and kissed my 2 year old lad while he was snoring away ,and thanked God for how lucky we truly are.

My sister was in great ormand street years ago. She was disabled and ended up being very very ill, having violent fits and unable to swollow or breath o her own. I remember me and my brother went with our mum and we got told to say goodbye to her and her brain was becoming more and more damaged. This was in 1992. With the help, support and the expertise of the medical staff there even back then, my sister recovered and thankfuly we had another 12 years together before she sadly passed away with leukemia. It is a fantastic hospital!

I missed the first episode but have it on seris link now ,its a very emotive subject but from a clip I saw a few days ago ,it does give an insite to the life and death dessions they make each and every day ,whether thats a good or bad thing I wouldn`t like to comment on .

just watched this on catch up - so glad i didnt watch it with my son whos waiting for op - hes adhd and already uptight. At least its only made me feel stronger about organ donations and stuff

Good luck to joanne's son, hope all goes well, my thoughts will be with you and your family. Will watch out for news of another success story

I too watched this and was in tears at the end, and I'm a shaven headed 6ft2" bloke! The technology and expertise was just amazing.


I was amazed at the skills of the surgeons, and their dedication to give the children the best life possible, albeit that the prognosis was bleak for some of these Kiddies.

I wanted to cry for the parents having to make the decisions. It was very brave of them to allow the intrusion of the cameras, when they were going through such a traumatic and heart-rending time.

The whole thing held me fascinated, I was on the edge of my seat... "Will this child pull through? Will that child make it?"

It is a very emotional/agonising experience, but it's amazing how resiliant babies are - even though they're ill. I think these operations are more common than people realise.

just watched this on catch up - so glad i didnt watch it with my son whos waiting for op - hes adhd and already uptight. At least its only made me feel stronger about organ donations and stuff

Will your son receive treatment at Sheffield Children's, or will he have to go out of city? and do you have any idea how long the waiting list is?

I too am feeling a little more stronger about organ donation, when you see and hear of the real live people whom benefit from donations it seems all the more worth while.

I may be wrong but think that children living in Sheffield who require heart surgery generally go to Leeds, Newcastle or Manchester.
Adults requiring heart surgery or cardiology procedures will have treatment within the Chesterman Unit at the NGH - just heart transplants who now go Manchester or Newcastle.
We are very lucky to live in Sheffield and have such a centre of excellence on our doorstep.

I found last nights programme particuarly moving - the poor parents of the child who was, clearly, living on borrowed time - they had such huge expectations of the staff at GOSH.
I work in an acute adult area at the NGH and just don't know how the doctors and nurses who work on ITU at GOSH cope with the every day stress of dealing with critically ill babies and children and how they make the difficult life and death decisions which come with working in such an acute area. I take my hat off to them - I couldn't do it. They are very special people.:thumbsup:

I found last nights programme particuarly moving - the poor parents of the child who was, clearly, living on borrowed time - they had such huge expectations of the staff at GOSH.
I work in an acute adult area at the NGH and just don't know how the doctors and nurses who work on ITU at GOSH cope with the every day stress of dealing with critically ill babies and children and how they make the difficult life and death decisions which come with working in such an acute area. I take my hat off to them - I couldn't do it. They are very special people.:thumbsup:

Yes, very good point, I hadn't really thought about it from that handle, I was so preoccupied with how difficult it must be being a parent, not to mention the child. Well done to the doctors and nurses that are involved in that area of work, and well done to you too, many people couldn't do what you do either.

I may be wrong but think that children living in Sheffield who require heart surgery generally go to Leeds, Newcastle or Manchester.
Adults requiring heart surgery or cardiology procedures will have treatment within the Chesterman Unit at the NGH - just heart transplants who now go Manchester or Newcastle.
We are very lucky to live in Sheffield and have such a centre of excellence on our doorstep.

your totaly correct. I now live in sheffield and have to go to Leeds every 3 months for check ups as they dont have the expertise or the available clinics here in Sheffield for people with my condition. I have been admitted to the NGH many times only to be transferred to Leeds within hours.