More than 1,100 babies have been born dependent on substances in the last five years, leading to calls for world-leading alcohol and drug services in Scotland.
23.12.2022 - 03:27 / dailyrecord.co.uk
Two sister who both underwent heart transplants 'can't wait' to celebrate their first 'normal' Christmas after making full recoveries. Allison Kerr and Karen Owens were diagnosed with the genetic heart condition familial dilated cardiomyopathy, the same condition that their father passed away from in 2005.
As their symptoms progressed the sisters discovered their only option was to undergo heart transplantation, and they both had to shield during the pandemic due to their vulnerability. Mrs Kerr, 55, received a new heart at NHS Golden Jubilee in Clydebank in 2020 while her sister received one in 2021.
They are now looking forward to being fully able to celebrate Christmas and new year. Ms Owens, 58, said: "I was having a bath the other day and it suddenly just washed over me that I felt good.
"I felt normal. I don't know my donor's name, but I call her Angela because to me she is an angel.
"I got quite emotional in my house about it, that part is quite hard to deal with. I said out loud 'thank-you Angela'.
"For so long I felt dull and lifeless, now I feel like I have music in my head again. I haven't been able to celebrate in so long: the last two years I was in hospital over the holidays, as well as on my birthday and the anniversary of my transplant.
"To feel like this and finally be able to have a normal Christmas and new year is fantastic and I can't wait."
Although her transplant went well, Ms Owens has spent 205 days in hospital over the last year due to other medical problems. Not long after her transplant she developed two lung infections, which had nothing to do with her heart but came from soil she was using at her allotment.
Doctors then discovered a pre-cancerous growth on her foot which required surgery. She
More than 1,100 babies have been born dependent on substances in the last five years, leading to calls for world-leading alcohol and drug services in Scotland.
A woman who passed away in a car crash just a few days after Christmas has been named by police.
A new sighting has been confirmed of a man who disappeared from Fife on New Year's Day. Scott McLaren left his home in the Dollar Crescent area of Kirkcaldy around midday on Sunday, January 1.
Police are searching for a missing man who disappeared from Fife on New Year's Day.
A young dad with terminal cancer has created a bucket list to make special memories with his family after he stopped his chemotherapy treatment.
Police say they are growing concerned for the welfare of a man who disappeared overnight in Ayrshire.
A Scots mum has been left with multicoloured blotches on her skin after using a kids' bath paint set from Boots which won't wash off properly.
A Scots garage owner fighting on the frontline in Ukraine will spend the festive period with his comrades in the trenches. Adam Ennis, 35, travelled from Biggar to the war-torn country in March after Vladimir Putin's horrific invasion.
A man and a woman have been arrested in connection with the “cold-blooded” killing of a 26-year-old who was shot in the head at a pub on Christmas Eve.
Police in Forth Valley are appealing for information to help trace a 32-year-old man who has been missing for more than a week from Stirling.
A family from Dumfries welcomed what could be Scotland's first baby born on Christmas Day.
A Scots mum has told of her heartbreak as she marked the first Christmas since her still her stillborn baby passed away.
With the Northern Lights expected to peak on Boxing Day, Scots could enjoy a festive light show. The Met Office space weather centre said despite the aurora borealis being less visible recently, this could be set to change on December 26.
In the past Scots have tried their lottery luck during the festive period hoping to bring home a huge jackpot.
Police are asking members of the public in Renfrew to check their sheds after a pensioner was reported missing on Christmas Eve.
Ukrainian refugees celebrating the festive season have thanked Scotland for welcoming them from their war-torn homeland.
Some Scots may want to know what train services will be available over the festive period this year.
Janey Godley has restarted chemotherapy treatment and she has told fans it's already wreaking havoc with her sleep.
It's strange to imagine what December would be like without Christmas at the end of it, but that is exactly what it was like in Scotland for almost 400 years.
The Scottish Highlands is the only part of the UK likely to see a white Christmas, according to the Met Office. Christmas is likely to be wet and cloudy for a lot of the country with the heavy snowfall coming two weeks too early to give most people a white Christmas.