Scots schoolgirl left paralysed after suffering stroke during heart surgery

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A five-year-old girl has been left paralysed after suffering a rare stroke during open heart surgery. Little Grace Grogan was born with half a heart and has gone through several operations.

She had her fourth procedure on October 17 at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, but when she woke up medics realised she was paralysed down her right hand side. They later found a blood clot in her brain had led to a stroke.

Her parents Vicky Connal, 37, and Ricky Grogan, 36, from Coatbridge, had their world turned upside when doctors warned them Grace will never be the same little girl again. Surgeons were forced to remove half of the youngster's skull in a bid to reduce swelling and save her life.

Devastated mum Vicky said: “There was a 4 per cent chance of a risk occurring during surgery. The blood clot hadn’t presented itself during or immediately after surgery. She went to ICU post op and the stroke was detected 17 hours later."

Grace's aunt Eileen Grogan tearfully told the Record: "This was supposed to be her final open heart surgery but things didn't go to plan. The prognosis at the start was really good but afterwards she wasn't responding normally.

"Grace was paralysed down the right-hand side. She was taken for a CT scan which found a blood clot in her brain had led to a stroke. Then we we were told that the little girl we had brought into the hospital wasn't the same one we would be taking home again."

The schoolgirl was taken in for emergency compression surgery - where medics removed part of her brain and skull to alleviate the swelling and risk of another stroke. The operation saw part of Grace's skull placed into her stomach to preserve the bone for later.

Eileen, 39, continued: "We were called in to say our goodbyes because it was touch and go whether or not she would survive the brain surgery. She had been rushed in after she stopped being as responsive with doctors. They removed part of her skull to relieve pressure and swelling."

Brave Grace survived the three-hour surgery and has had several responsive days since. She still can't communicate and has no movement on her right-hand side, but she recognises family members and is getting stronger by the day.

"Grace was getting really upset and crying a lot because she can't communicate, but she has managed to give us high fives, blow kisses, and draw a picture", Eileen added.

"Now we just have to wait and see. There is no way to know how long her recovery will take. We are really hopeful she will keep taking baby steps, and eventually, she may not be paralysed.

"For the first three months of her life, she was in hospital, and there was a slim chance of her surviving. She went through two open heart surgeries within the first couple months of her life and a further one four years ago.

"She is our wee angel. We hope she continues to improve. As a family, we have been at her side every day and will continue to be there throughout her recovery. No one can understand the pain her parents are going through - the weeks and months ahead are going to be very hard for them."

Although the tragic turn has left the family heartbroken and facing an extremely difficult journey, Vicky was full of praise for the team of medics that worked on Grace. She said: “Ricky and I owe our lives to these doctors and surgeons. The hospital staff have done everything for our girl.”

An NHS spokesperson said: “We understand that this is a challenging time for Grace and her family, and we continue to support them in Grace’s rehabilitation journey. We cannot comment further on this case due to confidentiality.”

Eileen has set up a fundraiser to support Grace's parents during this uncertain time. You can learn more about it and donate to the fundraiser here.

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