Tragic case as toddler battles rare condition and has weeks to live -…

A toddler has been acknowledged as the only individual globally identified with an extraordinarily rare disease, found during her mom’s 36-week being pregnant scan. Stacie Hammond, 45, went for her 36-week scan where physicians observed a ‘darkish patch’ close to her unborn child’s coronary heart.

The child lady’s lungs had collapsed and have been stuffed with fluid, pushing her coronary heart across her chest. Little Harleigh Tidd, now three years outdated, was born days later against all odds, with a mere 13% likelihood of survival.

However, shortly after coming home, Harleigh fell sick and it was discovered that her lung had collapsed again and was stuffed with fluid, mirroring the condition in the womb. Doctors have been baffled as to why her lungs have been filling with fluid and she has since undergone 38 surgical procedures since December 2024.

Medical specialists decided that Harleigh was struggling from lymphangioleiomyomatosis and chylothorax and skeletal dysplasia, making her the only recognized case worldwide. The rare condition causes her lymphatic system to leak a fluid called chyle into her lungs uncontrollably.

Doctors have sadly acknowledged that there’s nothing more they’ll do for her. Harleigh has now been fitted with her last chest drain, indicating she only has a few months left to live. 

Stacie, who supplies full-time care for Harleigh in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, explained: “When Harleigh was born, she was classed as a miracle baby because she survived. But we noticed Harleigh developing rashes and becoming ill and eventually we took her to A&E.

“It turned out that Harleigh’s lungs had collapsed and stuffed with fluid and every time they have been drained they might fill again. This yr we discovered it was getting more aggressive.

“Harleigh’s dad and I were told that we had come to the end of the road with her treatment. It’s heartbreaking – of her three years, she’s only spent about seven months out of hospital. As a parent all you want to do is protect your children, but this isn’t something we can protect her from.”

In August 2022, Stacie, who has three grownup kids, went to her ultrasound appointment with her associate Stephen Tidd, 28. The couple watched with growing concern as hospital workers rushed to assess the scan outcomes.

Their unborn little one had skilled a collapsed lung that had stuffed with fluid, pushing her coronary heart to the alternative facet of her chest. An emergency caesarean part was carried out just 4 days later, and against all expectations she pulled through despite poor survival probabilities and dangers including cerebral palsy, neurological injury and Down’s syndrome.

Right after supply, medical workers inserted a chest tube to drain the surplus fluid and positioned her on respiratory assist. Doctors finally despatched her home, and Harleigh appeared to be doing nicely during her first few weeks of life.

Stacie revealed: “Harleigh stopped eating and taking milk and then her poo turned black.”

She was immediately taken to the emergency room, where a chest X-ray confirmed that her lungs have been once again stuffed with fluid. Harleigh spent the next two years often visiting the hospital, including one steady keep that lasted eight-and-a-half months.

Stacie shared: “They tested her blood and the fluid to try and work out where it came from and why her lung kept collapsing.”

After being discharged in August 2024, Harleigh shortly fell ailing again. By December 2024, she needed emergency surgical procedure when fluid leaked into her chest cavity and coronary heart.

The younger lady has since undergone 38 surgical procedures and numerous chest drains in an attempt to stabilize her condition and stop the fluid buildup. Medical groups finally recognized the fluid as chyle, a lymphatic substance leaking uncontrollably into her lung.

Stacie explained: “In September we were called into a meeting to discuss the situation. This was the day our lives were torn apart – Harleigh’s condition had now made its way to her bowel, stomach and spleen and was spreading.

“There was no remedy and nothing that could possibly be performed, they said. This was the second we realized our stunning child lady was going to die – our lives have been completely shattered.”

Doctors installed a final chest drain in Harleigh in late October, which medical professionals estimate may remain effective for about 10 weeks. Once it fails, the little girl will have just days left.

The heartbroken family is now receiving palliative care support after implementing a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order. They are currently raising funds to fulfill their daughter’s dream of visiting Disneyland.

Stacie shared: “We need her to have the ability to go away and have an wonderful time, with recollections that will last a lifetime. We call her our little warrior princess – the disease has taken over her complete physique, but she has never stopped smiling.

“We want to raise awareness so that one day maybe doctors can find a cause or explanation as to why she developed this illness. We will donate her organs after she is gone to help save others in the future – she will make medical history.”