We are in awe at the bravery of our little Ehryn

Here’s schoolgirl Ehryn Andrews giving a huge thumbs-up after undergoing a heart transplant operation which was sparked by her cancer treatment.

The youngster underwent open heart surgery lasting eight hours just days ago, and is already looking back to her beautiful best.

Sucking on a refreshing strawberry ice lolly, a mischievous glimmer is clear, despite the sterile surroundings of an intensive care ward.

What is most remarkable about the plucky youngster’s surgery is the fact it was brought on by a rare form of bone cancer.

Chemotherapy thankfully put her osteosarcoma cancer into remission.

However, she developed life-threatening sepsis which, coupled with the chemotherapy, irreparably damaged her heart.

Without a transplant the six-year-old Frozen fan would have died.

However, her excellent recovery is continuing unabated and although she won’t be well enough for the new school term she can’t wait to join chums back at Greenwards Primary School, Elgin, Moray.

“Ehryn has taught us how to cope because she is such a happy wee girl,” said mum Lyanne. “She has been amazing throughout it all.”

The major transplant was carried out at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital last month after intensive chemotherapy to beat bone cancer in her pelvis destroyed her heart.

The aggressive cancer was diagnosed last October after Ehryn developed a limp.

Lyanne, a staff nurse at Dr Gray’s Hospital in her home town, said since the operation Ehryn had spent a lot of her time in isolation as a simple cough or sneeze from another child could set her recovery back irrevocably.

Instead she spends her time getting cuddles from her favourite toy and watching her other favourite film, Despicable Me.

“We are in awe of how she has handled everything she has had to endure,” added mum, who says her favourite toy “Sookie”, who’s been through a hot germ killing wash countless times, goes everywhere with Ehryn, to “every scan”.

“She has been through in six years what most people don’t have to cope with in a lifetime.”

The tight knit family which includes big brother Ryan, nine posed for an adorable group portrait just months before their world was turned upside.

“When my husband Ross and I were told Ehryn had cancer we were devastated,” said Lyanne.

“It’s every parent’s worst fear.

“But we could not let our fears show,” she adds. “Instead, we concentrated on staying as upbeat and positive as we could for her.”

Ehryn, who’s still not sure what she wants to be when she grows up, but “definitely does not want to be a nurse or work in hospital”, was under general anaesthetic for what seemed like weeks to the anxious parents.

They can still barely put into words what it’s like to be in the waiting room while major surgery is carried out just yards away.

“We went through a range of emotions,” says mum. “Excited. Anxious. Scared. Hopeful. I really can’t describe it.”

One thing the relieved parents can describe is their poignant admiration for the donor that saved their little girl’s life and his or her family.

“She would not be here without the wonderful family who donated their relative’s heart,” said Lyanne.

“It will have been a very painful time for them but we want them to know they have saved our brave daughter.”

Having a heart destroyed by chemotherapy is a recognised side-effect of cancer drugs.

“The doctors explained it was a complication but that they had carried out transplants for other children.”

In the week before the operation, Ehryn was kept alive by an artificial pump called the Berlin Heart.

The device is implanted directly into the heart and into the main artery.

The pump takes over the work of the heart when it is no longer strong enough to pump blood around the body.

Specialists told Lyanne and dad Ross their daughter would not have stood a chance without the machine, as her heart had completely failed by that point.

“Now she is progressing well but we are taking it one step at a time,” Lyanne said. “Her cardiac team are pleased and Ehryn is just looking forward to going home and being able to do fun things again.”

Ehryn’s dad Ross, a distillery worker, said the health care Ehryn has received throughout her journey has been second to none.

“The support from various charities, family members and friends has been amazing,” he said.

“I would also like to say how vital it is to receive the gift of life from a donor and how being here has shown us just how important organ donation is.

“I hope after reading this article people will seriously consider signing up to the register to become a donor and save a life.”

Trust has been so supportive

The family have effectively had to move from Moray to Newcastle to be near Ehryn.

But the mammoth 300-mile trek southwards has been made all the more bearable by the Sick Children’s Trust.

The caring charity has been providing vital accommodation near the Newcastle hospital while treatment is carried out.

Lyanne last night said she would not have been able to cope without their support.

“The Sick Children’s Trust has made a very stressful time so much more bearable and we will be forever grateful,” she said.

Andrew Leadbitter, House Manager at The Sick Children’s Trust’s Scott House, is delighted they have been able to help.

He said: “Families have to travel from across Scotland to access Freeman Hospital’s expertise in providing pioneering children’s heart services. Scott House is there to ease this process and provide the support families need to be there for their sick child in a city far from home.

“It’s been a pleasure accommodating Lyanne and Ross and I am delighted Ehryn’s recovery is going so well.”