Concerns began in 2022 when 45-year-old Stacie Hammond attended her 36-week check. Doctors noticed a troubling “dark patch” near her baby’s heart and moved quickly to investigate.
Further tests showed the baby’s lungs had collapsed and were filling with fluid. The team warned the family that the situation could be life-threatening without urgent care.
After coming home, Harleigh soon became very ill. The same mysterious problem from the womb returned, and her lung collapsed again as fluid built up.
For months, no one could say why her lungs kept filling. Since December 2024, she has undergone 38 procedures in total, each one an attempt to stabilize her fragile health.
The condition causes her lymphatic system to leak a substance called chyle into her lungs without control, making breathing a constant struggle.
Chyle is a milky white fluid that helps the body absorb fats in the small intestine. When it enters the chest, it creates dangerous pressure and fluid buildup.
“It was getting more aggressive”
Stacie, who cares for Harleigh full-time in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, said: “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 filled with fluid – and every time they were drained they would fill again.”
“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.”
Her heart was pushed to the opposite side of her chest
Stacie first learned something was seriously wrong in August 2022 during a routine scan with her partner, 28-year-old Stephen Tidd.
Staff called in additional doctors to study the monitor. The image showed a collapsed lung packed with fluid that had shifted the baby’s heart to the other side of her chest, a sight that left the couple in shock.
Four days later, Stacie had an emergency delivery. Against steep odds, Harleigh survived.
Stacie said: “Harleigh stopped eating and taking milk, and then her poo turned black.”
They rushed to the ER. Tests confirmed her lungs had filled once more, and the medical team repeated the urgent treatment to drain the fluid and ease her breathing.
“There was nothing that could be done”
Over the next two years, the family cycled in and out of hospitals. One stay stretched to eight and a half months, a marathon of procedures, monitoring, and hard days.
Stacie said: “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.”
“This was the moment we released our beautiful baby girl was going to die – our lives were totally shattered.”
In late October, doctors placed what they believe will be one final chest drain. They expect it to work for roughly ten weeks before it stops helping.
A specialist palliative team is now supporting them, and a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order is in place to honor the plan of care.
With time short, her parents have started fundraising to take her to Disneyland and make as many happy memories as possible.
“We call her our little warrior princess – the disease has taken over her whole body 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.”
