Our Story

Brad, Stanley and Debbie in May 2012

We are Brad and Debbie McLean and Stanley was our beautiful little boy who passed away at the age of 18 months in July 2012.

Stanley shortly after birth at the NNUH awaiting transfer to GOSH

Stanley was born on January 2nd 2011 at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital with a heart condition called tetralogy of fallots, further complicated by a missing pulmonary valve.  He was immediately taken to neo natal intensive care where he was stabilised and arrangements made to transfer him to GOSH.  He was rushed to Great Ormond Street 2 days later where he underwent his first open heart surgery at the age of 8 days to repair the 4 separate defects of the heart that make up TOF's.  Stanley's surgery went well and after 8 hours he was back on the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU).  Due to the complex surgery it took 3 weeks before Stanley was well enough to be transferred to the Cardiac Ward.  There were plenty of road bumps along the way and while in the high dependency ward shortly after arriving from CICU Stanley's oxygen levels dropped and he was sent back to CICU.  This lasted only a day and as we would find out Stan was a tough little man who was determined to come home.  After 3 months of being in hospital at both GOSH and NNUH we were finally able to bring Stanley home.

Stanley being airlifted back to GOSH by the incredibly professional and caring RAF and CATS Team

While at home Stanley struggled to put on weight and his breathing became more and more laboured and over the ensuing months we were in and out of hospital. In May 2011 we took Stanley into hospital once again and his condition deteriorated rapidly overnight to the point he was intubated and arrangements made to transfer him back to GOSH.  Stanley along with Brad and Debbie were emergency airlifted from the NNUH by the RAF and the Childrens Acute Transfer Team (CATS) in a Sea King helicopter, landing at Regents Park where he was blue lighted back to GOSH and a second emergency surgery planned.  This time they needed to add a conduit with a pulmonary valve and also make his pulmonary arteries smaller.  This was an extremely risky procedure and after 8 very long hours Stanley was back on CICU although very sick.  We were told that the 24 hours following the surgery would be the hardest but as Stanley always did within a few hours he had stabilised to the point even the surgeon and doctors were surprised.  After the second surgery while still in hospital you could see the change hour by hour and day by day as Stanley got stronger and stronger .  One month later and Stanley came home again and began to thrive.

Stanley shortly after his second surgery

Over the next few months Stanley became stronger and stronger and developed into a very happy and curious toddler. We had the privilege of watching Stan learn to crawl and walk, and he simply lit up not only our lives, but every one that he came across.  Stanley was always with a smile, happy to see you and he was a joy to be around.

The pleasure he brought to our lives far out weighed the countless appointments not only to the local hospital but also to GOSH for CT scans, heart echos, blood tests and everything else he required in order to keep a close eye on his condition.  We never looked at these as anything more than a part of life and with the incredible care we received from his Cardiologist and team at GOSH it just became a part of our routine.  Stanley always had a smile at the ready for any doctor or nurse, and he always found a way to make them laugh. 

Stan absolutely loved books!

In July of 2012 during a routine check it was noticed that Stanley's conduit in his heart was becoming narrowed and he would need a 3rd open heart surgery.  This was a surprise to us as well as the doctors as we were all hopeful it would be a few years before he needed a replacement.  It was during this surgery that complications occurred and Stanley passed away shortly after surgery.

Through Stanley's 18 months he received the most amazing care from all the doctors, nurses and surgeons at GOSH and they gave us the opportunity to spend that time with our beautiful little boy.  Not only did they take care of Stan, but they also took care of us.  We were provided with accommodation that was a few minutes away, support through their family teams, and we saw on a daily basis the work they do to save lives of some of the sickest children.  It takes over £50 million every year just to continue what they already do.  The Stanley McLean Brighter Futures Fund at GOSH has now raised over £30k since Stanley's passing, through the support of our family and friends and their fund raising activities.

The Stanley McLean Trust was set up in early 2013 to fund raise for children's charities and to give back to organisations that supported us during these difficult times.  From bake sales to cycle rides, climbs to golf days, the Stanley McLean Trust aims to continue to raise as much money as possible to purchase vital equipment, fund important research and give precious memories to sick children and their families.  

 

The two charities that are are our cornerstone of fund raising will always be Great Ormond Street Hospital and East Anglia's Children's Hospices.