MAKING it to his first birthday yesterday was really something to celebrate for Matthew Obedoza, of Thornlands.
This tiny heart warrior put on his Mickey Mouse ears and celebrated Disney style after a turbulent start to life.
Matthew was born with multiple heart defects essentially withonly half a heart.
His mother Kristy said every small advancement offered a reason to celebrate, the most recent being Matthew's ability to pull himself up to stand, clap and wave.
"He recently took part in a neuro development study and he is doing well in all areas. It is common for heart babies to be a bit behind in their gross motor skills," Kristy said.
Kristy said Matthew was diagnosed with Hypo-plastic Right Ventricle, Transposition of the Greater Arteries, Pulmonary Artesia, Tricuspid Artesia, Ventricular Septal Defect and Atrium Septal Defect 20 weeks into her pregnancy.
"We were given three choices: surgery, palliative care or termination. We thought that with the advancement of medicine, he would have a fighting chance, that we would take him as far as he could and the rest was up to him," she said.
Matthew's first surgery was at three days old and the second at five months.
"He was on life support for 24 hours after the first surgery and that was the worst day of our lives. The second time, he was in hospital for five days and came home on Christmas eve.
"It was the most beautiful present ever," she said.
The surgeries are designed to "re-plumb" his blood flow until he reaches a stage where a heart transplant is necessary. Medical advancements indicate that this may not be needed until age 20 or older.
"He has been an absolute blessing his condition is a blessing and a curse. When you have a limited life, you live day by day and enjoy doing it. I might get up to him at 3am and he is smiling.
"I can't get mad at him, 'cos he's happy."He brings us so much joy. He enhances our lives and we take nothing for granted," Matthew's father Michael said.
"Thousands of babies with Congenital Heart Disease don't make it to their first birthday and thousands more don't make it to early adulthood. To have our little heart warrior defy the odds and make it through this year is a huge blessing to us," Kristy said.
"There has been fear and concern, but Matthew smiles and laughs so easily. He brightens our day and has changed our outlook on life.
"He doesn't need presents. I have told our friends if they want to give him anything to donate to Heart Kids Queensland.
"They have been our support and we have made great friends through other heart families. It is nice to speak to someone who gets it. This charity has supported us so much during our trying times."
Anyone who can contribute can contact Kristy at kristyobedoza@gmail.com
