THINGS can only get better in 2006 for an Overton couple and their tiny baby.

Eight-weeks-old Caitlen Marie Clayton has finally come home after undergoing major surgery for a life-threatening heart condition over Christmas.

She is now well on the road to recovery just like her mum Nichola Weldon, who has given only a 50/50 chance of survival after the birth of her daughter.

Nichola was induced on November 25 when she became ill with HELLP syndrome, a severe condition that can cause haemorrhage and liver failure.

She was kept in the intensive care unit for a week after the birth because she was at risk of having a stroke and doctors said she had only a 50 per cent chance of survival.

But that was only the start of the problems for Nichola, her partner David Clayton and tiny Caitlen Marie when the baby was diagnosed with total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage a rare condition meaning she had a hole in the heart and the organ was also the wrong way around.

And it was only by accident that the condition was discovered.

Nichola says: "I had a cold just before Christmas and was advised to take Caitlen to the doctors on December 23 in case she had it as well. The doctor said she had a heart murmur and we had to take her to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary immed-iately.

"She had tests on Christmas Eve and we were rushed to Alder Hey children's hospital in Liverpoool. On Boxing day we were told her operation would be the next day. It all happened so quickly."

The 19-year-old goes on: "If I had not had a cold we probably would not have known and she would have got worse before it was spotted.

"She was very poorly and while we were at Alder Hey her condition deteriorated very quickly. She was struggling to breathe. It was very harrowing and distressing."

Caitlen's life-saving five hour operation went ahead on December 28 and the 5lbs 10-ounce tot then spent several days on a ventilator in intensive care.

It was a magical moment for David and Nichola when she started to breathe on her own.

Caitlen came home to Overton earlier this month and is now making a great' recovery, says dad David.