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Chester Osment’s journey has been one of remarkable courage and resilience from the very start of his life. Born with a rare and complex heart condition, his small heart required extensive medical intervention, including an eight-hour open-heart surgery during which his heart had to be stopped twice when it suddenly sped up to a dangerous 280 beats per minute. His surgeon described Chester’s heart as unique, having never encountered a condition quite like his before.
In the UK, around 13 children are born daily with heart defects, yet Chester’s mother, Kristy Evans, initially believed heart issues were primarily a concern for older adults. Throughout Chester’s first 15 months, he has battled multiple serious challenges including sepsis, Covid, and endocarditis, and at times Kristy had to perform life-saving CPR on him. His early months were filled with hospital stays involving surgery, intensive care, and emergency admissions, with the longest home stay being only four days at a time. Today, Chester is at home in Blaenavon, Torfaen, gradually regaining strength as he awaits further major heart surgery.
Kristy recalls the overwhelming moment in November 2024 when a nurse detected a heart murmur in Chester, who was then only three days old. Although she initially was not very worried, the severity became clear when her partner returned from scans visibly upset. Doctors explained that Chester needed corrective surgery but had to gain weight and strength first, a difficult task given that he weighed just 5lb 7oz at birth and dropped to 4lb 11oz in the ensuing days. The surgical plan hinged on Chester reaching approximately 11lb and six months of age before undergoing the vital procedure.
Chester’s condition is diagnosed as complete atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD), a severe congenital heart defect where a large hole in the heart allows blood to mix between all four chambers and causes excess blood flow to the lungs. Without timely surgery, this can lead to heart failure. Chester’s surgery successfully patched the holes and created valves, yet these valves now leak badly, requiring careful management with medication. Despite being stable for now, his mother acknowledges the ongoing risk of heart failure, while Chester waits to grow strong enough for his next surgery, which will involve installing mechanised valves that will need adjustments as he develops. Though Chester’s progress is delayed—he cannot yet crawl—his cheerful spirit shines through, enjoying films like Shrek and playing with the family dog, Raven. Kristy emphasizes that heart disease is not solely an adult issue; babies like Chester confront these battles from birth. Senior Cardiac Nurse June Davison from the British Heart Foundation highlights that advancements in research have greatly improved survival rates for children with severe heart defects, with many living full, active lives despite potential challenges and repeat surgeries
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