Imagine the joy of feeling your baby’s first kick, dreaming of their future, and planning for the day you will finally hold them. For Madam Nur Syahidah Watib and her husband, Muhammad Nazeeh Mohamad, these dreams took a terrifying turn at 22 weeks of pregnancy. A routine scan unveiled a rare and complex medical condition in their unborn daughter.
Their baby’s upper heart chambers and abdominal organs were located on the opposite sides of her body. She also had a large hole in the wall between the lower chambers of her heart and was missing a critical pulmonary artery—a vital vessel responsible for carrying blood to the lungs for oxygenation.
Devastated, Madam Syahidah considered terminating the pregnancy. “I couldn’t bear the thought of putting her through so many operations after birth,” she recalls. “But in the end, I just couldn’t do it. We had to stay strong for our baby.” Armed with faith and determination, the couple chose to fight for their daughter’s life.
What unfolded over the next few years was a story of unimaginable challenges, unwavering faith, and the triumph of modern medicine.
A Heartbreaking Choice
Source: The Strait Times
When faced with the unimaginable, Syahidah wrestled with an impossible decision: Should she continue a pregnancy knowing her baby would endure countless surgeries and a fragile start to life? It’s a question no parent should ever have to confront. Yet, her ultimate decision to keep fighting for her unborn daughter reflects a universal truth—parents will go to extraordinary lengths for their children, even when the path forward is filled with uncertainty and pain.
Her choice resonates deeply. It isn’t just about the courage to hope. It’s about the grit to act on that hope, even when logic and fear suggest otherwise.
What Syahidah and her husband did next is something we can all learn from: they chose to lean on their faith, trust the expertise of doctors, and prepare themselves for the battle ahead.
The Challenges Begin at Birth
On a rainy day in 2020, baby Nur Faathimah Assyifa’ was born at the National University Hospital (NUH). She weighed 2.8 kilograms but faced an uphill battle from her very first breath. Her oxygen levels were dangerously low, turning her tiny body blue. Doctors acted swiftly, performing a shunt procedure at just one-month-old to redirect blood flow to her lungs.
“The shunt is a plastic tube that helps improve oxygenation temporarily,” explains Associate Professor Laszlo Kiraly, head of NUH’s department of cardiac, thoracic, and vascular surgery. Yet, even with this intervention, Assyifa’’s condition remained precarious. A sudden cardiac arrest shortly after the procedure revealed another complication: her aorta was compressing her windpipe, making it difficult to breathe.
A Team of Heroes
Addressing Assyifa’’s complex medical needs required a multidisciplinary team. Specialists at the National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS), and the National University Centre for Women and Children joined forces. Each member of the team played a vital role in crafting a plan to save Assyifa’’s life.
“We created a 3D-printed model of her heart to map out the intricate surgery she needed,” shares Dr. Senthil Kumar Subbian, a consultant in paediatric cardiac surgery at NUHCS. This replica, slightly larger than her actual heart, allowed surgeons to rehearse the delicate procedure with precision.
A Landmark Surgery
In 2022, at the age of two, Assyifa’ underwent a groundbreaking double-switch operation. This complex, 10-hour procedure aimed to restore normal blood flow through her tiny heart.
The first step, known as an atrial switch, corrected blood flow between her heart’s upper chambers. Next, surgeons repositioned the great arteries—the aorta and pulmonary artery—to restore oxygen-rich blood flow. Because Assyifa’ lacked a pulmonary artery, a synthetic conduit with a valve was used.
“She was the youngest and smallest patient in Singapore to undergo this procedure,” says Professor Kiraly. “The surgery required extraordinary precision and preparation.”
Following the operation, Assyifa’’s heart and lungs were supported by an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (Ecmo) machine. The family’s prayers intensified as they waited for signs of recovery.
Resilience and Faith
Source: Nur Syahidah Watib
Through every setback, Madam Syahidah and Mr. Muhammad Nazeeh relied on their faith. “We prayed and reassured ourselves that Assyifa’ would be okay,” she shares. “Reading about other children’s success stories gave us hope.”
Their unwavering support extended beyond prayers. Assyifa’’s parents diligently took her to feeding, speech, and occupational therapy sessions. Despite setbacks, like her reliance on a nasogastric tube for feeding and a tracheostomy affecting her ability to speak, Assyifa’ proved to be a fighter.
A Bright Future
Today, four-year-old Assyifa’ is thriving. She attends preschool, paints, builds sandcastles, and plays with her scooter. Her tracheostomy tube has been removed, and she is learning to eat and speak with growing confidence.
Her medical journey isn’t over. Regular check-ups and careful monitoring remain part of her routine. However, her family’s resilience and the dedication of NUH’s medical team have given her a chance at a fulfilling life.
“Whenever Assyifa’ feels unwell, I remind her to fight,” says Madam Syahidah. “Now, she tells me, ‘Fight, fight, fight.’”
Lessons in Faith and Perseverance
Source: The Strait Times
The journey of Madam Syahidah’s family poignantly reminds us of the resilience parents can summon in the face of overwhelming odds. Their story underscores the importance of hope, faith, and the transformative power of medical advancements.
Globally, congenital heart disease affects one in 10 cardiovascular patients under the age of 15. Without paediatric cardiac surgery, the survival rate for these children would be a mere 20%. Thanks to modern medicine, that rate now exceeds 90%, enabling children like Assyifa’ to lead fulfilling lives.
The Power of Community and Faith
Stories like Assyifa’’s remind us of the incredible advancements in medical science and the indomitable strength of the human spirit. For parents facing similar challenges, know that you are not alone. Support groups, medical professionals, and your faith can carry you through even the darkest times.
Are you inspired by Assyifa’’s story? If so, consider supporting organizations that fund paediatric cardiac care or sharing your experiences to uplift other parents. Together, we can ensure every child has a chance to thrive, no matter the odds.
Assyifa’s story isn’t just a medical case study or a family’s personal triumph. It’s a reflection of what we can achieve when science and spirit converge. It’s a reminder that behind every statistic is a life—a child with a name, a family with a dream, and a community with the power to lift them up.
As we marvel at her resilience, let us also commit to creating a world where every child, no matter how complex their medical needs, has the chance to thrive. Because at the end of the day, isn’t that the kind of world we all want to live in?
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