Hello!

12 Comments

Mum of little boy with weeks to live vows to make every second count.

Melissa Lovf was told at her 12 week pregnancy scan that her unborn baby had a heart problem.

She was induced in June 2016 and gave birth to a little boy, affectionately known as Mikey.

Doctors are now saying the four-month-old has just weeks – and at most months – to live, reports Daily Mail.

Soon after birth, doctors picked up another complication affecting his veins – a condition called TAPVD (Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Drainage).

At just 36 hours old, Mikey underwent open heart surgery.

‘We were lucky this surgery was a success, but more surgeries were to come,’ Melissa’s sister Nicky O’Keefe wrote on a Go Fund Me page for Mikey’s family.

‘There were steps forward and back, and other surgeries involved putting in a shunt, some work on his diaphragm, and to clean out an infection that had developed.’

While Mikey was eventually discharged, soon we was struggling to keep his feeds down. Scans showed a narrowing of Mikey’s veins and it meant he required more surgery.

Devastatingly, that surgery didn’t work.

‘There was nothing else that could be done for Mikey, except to make him comfortable. The guide they gave is a few months at most,’ Ms Lovf told Mamamia.

‘The news broke us. Our little boy Mikey, who was so full of life and just starting to show his personality, was out of options.’

She went on: ‘I do not regret having Mikey, as whilst he had a chance at a good-quality life, we fought for it.’

Now the family from Melbourne, Vic, is determined to make a lifetime of memories in the time they have left but are in need of help to make it happen.

‘Going to Zoo’s aquariums and other adventures also adds up, not to mention hospital parking costs, and medications. While we are trying to focus on making happy memories, we are aware of funeral expenses as well,’ Ms Lovf’s sister wrote on the crowdfunding page.

‘So many people have offered to help in any way they can, and to everyone, we say thank you for your love and support.’

Congenital heart disease is the greatest killer of Australian children under one and every day in Australia eight babies are born with a heart defect. Sadly, every week four precious lives are lost.

As a heart mum myself this is shattering. We wish little Mikey all the best. You can read my story as a heart mum here.

Heartkids Australia is a great resource for any families in need. HeartKids Information Line  1800 432 785.

Share your comments below.

Image via gofundme

We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.
  • That’s so sad. So very sad to lose a child, whether it’s expected or not

    Reply

  • The memories are for her, not for him… but sure.. make it count :)

    Reply

  • absolutely heartbreaking. All the best to you

    Reply

  • How horrible knowing your baby is going to die soon. I hope they make lots of great memories and take lots of photos and videos

    Reply

  • Take lots of photos, celebrate every second. It must be very hard for the family :(

    Reply

  • Wishing Mikey and his parents all the best.

    Reply

  • All life is so precious even the short lived ones !
    Wishing this family all the love, strength and support they need, bless them !

    Reply

  • Life can be so unfair.

    Reply

  • Little Mikey’s tiny body is probably to frail to respond to so much surgery. Heart surgery sometimes put more strain on the heart as it bruises. Hopefully he can be kept pain free.

    Reply

  • Poor little Mikey, but what a brave and strong supportive family he has. He will pass away knowing his family adored him!

    Reply

  • I’m glad this family has so much community support. It must be a very difficult time for them all. :-(

    Reply

  • oh what a heartbreaking story – I wish you all the very best and to make the most of Mikey’s time – thank you for sharing your sad story and raising awareness -

    Reply

Post a comment
Add a photo
Your MoM account


Lost your password?

Enter your email and a password below to post your comment and join MoM:

You May Like

Loading…

Looks like this may be blocked by your browser or content filtering.

↥ Back to top

Thanks For Your Star Rating!

Would you like to add a written rating or just a star rating?

Write A Rating Just A Star Rating
Join