THEY thought they were going to lose her.But six-month-old Tiana, from Toftwood, has surprised doctors, medical staff and her own family, conquering an extremely rare heart disease and surviving several operations.

THEY thought they were going to lose her.

But six-month-old Tiana, from Toftwood, has surprised doctors, medical staff and her own family, conquering an extremely rare heart disease and surviving several operations.

The baby was born at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital last December, making her parents Lisa King and Kevin Mackay proud.

But when the couple took her for a post-natal check six weeks later, the GP found that she had a heart murmur.

“To cut a long story short, it was discovered that Tiana was born with two heart defects, a very rare one called Alcapa meaning the coronary artery was in the wrong place and also another defect - mitral regurgitation - which required immediate surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London,” said Lisa, 29.

“Her first operation took place at the beginning of March and then she had to go in for a second a few weeks later. Just before the second operation we thought we were going to lose her. Her health had deteriorated and doctors didn't think she was going to make it. In fact one of the doctors told us that her condition was so rare that he hadn't seen a similar case in his 25 years as a surgeon.”

But Tiana defied all expectations and her health improved considerably after the second operation. She was released from Great Ormond Street Hospital and taken to Norwich and Norfolk University Hospital where misery struck again.

She picked up a stomach virus and started to lose weight again. However, with characteristic grit, she pulled through again, finally returning home where she is starting to be weaned.

“She's all happy and smiling again,” said Lisa, who also has a son Dylan, seven.

Her father, Kevin, 35, is so proud of his daughter that he has now decided to do a sponsored 10,000ft parachute jump in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital.

“He's never done it before, but he's determined to do it and raise at least £2,000 for the hospital which has been so incredibly supportive,” she said.

“We've booked a solo parachute jump on Sunday, August 17 at Old Buckenham airfield in Norfolk and this will be our way to say a big thank you for saving our daughter's life, as without this surgery she would not have survived. Friends have already pledged some £700, but we are hoping to raise more over the months to come.”

“We are also trying to raise awareness of Tiana's condition as it is quite rare and have set up a website for people to read Tiana's story for themselves.”

Anyone interested in helping Lisa and Kevin with their fundraising appeal can do so

via their website www.

bravetiana.co.uk or e-mail lk1979@hotmail.co.uk