What do you think?
Rate this book
Have I got to have another scar?
My story takes us through the years of my post university life. Meeting my now wife and the subsequent years that followed. The birth of my daughter and the worrying times that lay ahead.
I knew becoming a dad for the first time would have its tough times. I just didn’t realise how tough. But then I hadn’t reckoned on anything other than a ‘normal’ birth. And perfectly healthy offspring. It had crossed my mind of course, but how many of us really think it could happen to us?
I’d certainly never imagined I would have to stand by and watch my little girl, 2 days old, being driven off in an ambulance with its lights flashing and sirens blaring. Isn’t that just something that happens to other people? Our destination was Addenbrookes Hospital, the specialist hospital for babies in our area. I had never been so frightened.
I have been ever present since the birth of my little princess. Changed her first nappy and carried her to the operating theatre for her first operation and every subsequent operation. I have been consoled and been the one consoling.
I have had many days and nights when my emotions and those of my wife and extended family have been stretched to a limit above and beyond anything I ever thought I would be able to cope with. But I have also laughed so hard its hurt.
This book takes in everything. From simple tales of splashing about in puddles, changing nappies and ending up with the contents of a soiled nappy on my forehead, to not being able to pick my daughter up for a cuddle as she was “way to poorly” and being told by an intensive care nurse “I genuinely thought she was going to die”.
I’ve had days when I have thought “why us” and days where I have been thankful it wasn’t us.
I never thought anything could be more frightening than that first operation when Charlotte was just two weeks old. But then came open heart surgery in Gt Ormond St. and what happened in Addenbrookes in June 2008 made the heart surgery operation feel more like a check up at the dentist. Seven operations later and the memories are as fresh today as if it was yesterday.
Being a parent is the most amazing experience that has ever happened to me and ultimately I love being a dad, it is without doubt the best feeling in the world, If we could just stop having to go through so many life saving operations………..
I knew becoming a dad for the first time would have its tough times. I just didn’t realise how tough. But then I hadn’t reckoned on anything other than a ‘normal’ birth. And perfectly healthy offspring. It had crossed my mind of course, but how many of us really think it could happen to us?
I’d certainly never imagined I would have to stand by and watch my little girl, 2 days old, being driven off in an ambulance with its lights flashing and sirens blaring. Isn’t that just something that happens to other people? Our destination was Addenbrookes Hospital, the specialist hospital for babies in our area. I had never been so frightened.
I have been ever present since the birth of my little princess. Changed her first nappy and carried her to the operating theatre for her first operation and every subsequent operation. I have been consoled and been the one consoling.
I have had many days and nights when my emotions and those of my wife and extended family have been stretched to a limit above and beyond anything I ever thought I would be able to cope with. But I have also laughed so hard its hurt.
This book takes in everything. From simple tales of splashing about in puddles, changing nappies and ending up with the contents of a soiled nappy on my forehead, to not being able to pick my daughter up for a cuddle as she was “way to poorly” and being told by an intensive care nurse “I genuinely thought she was going to die”.
I’ve had days when I have thought “why us” and days where I have been thankful it wasn’t us.
I never thought anything could be more frightening than that first operation when Charlotte was just two weeks old. But then came open heart surgery in Gt Ormond St. and what happened in Addenbrookes in June 2008 made the heart surgery operation feel more like a check up at the dentist. Seven operations later and the memories are as fresh today as if it was yesterday.
Being a parent is the most amazing experience that has ever happened to me and ultimately I love being a dad, it is without doubt the best feeling in the world, If we could just stop having to go through so many life saving operations………..
221 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 14, 2012
8 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 20, 2013
a beautifully written true story. I have no children , but felt this dad and his family's pain and their moments of happiness. I shed a quiet tear and laughed aloud. I hope they are living a normal and calm life now, but it is definitely a story that makes you grateful for life and to our health services.
February 17, 2014
Such an amazing read. Proper review to follow.
November 2, 2019
A very honest book written almost as a memoir, by the daddy of a very sick little girl, Charlotte who is a little fighter. Deals with raw emotions and hospitals very well and I understood more about paediatric care in hospitals by the time I had finished it. Praise goes to Great Ormond Street Hospital and all staff who work in the NHS.
November 14, 2017
Absolutely beautiful book. Finished in under 24 hours because even with my own toddler, I really wanted to know more and read more. Such an inspiration book and just so lovingly written. Would definitely recommend.
May 3, 2018
Heart warming
Brilliant story such a brave wee solider supported by a lovely strong family and friends Highly recommended this book well the read found myself saying come on wee one you can do this. So glad it had a happy ending. Mind the hankies
Brilliant story such a brave wee solider supported by a lovely strong family and friends Highly recommended this book well the read found myself saying come on wee one you can do this. So glad it had a happy ending. Mind the hankies
December 9, 2017
Beautiful account of a little girls life
A heart warming story of a little girl and her fight for life. Told through the eyes of her dad. A true rollercoaster of emotions.
A heart warming story of a little girl and her fight for life. Told through the eyes of her dad. A true rollercoaster of emotions.
June 25, 2019
Good read, very well written
Really enjoyed reading this book, found it very difficult to put it down. Glad it had a happy ending. Very well written.
Really enjoyed reading this book, found it very difficult to put it down. Glad it had a happy ending. Very well written.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews