Little Ella Wiseman is looking forward to her first Christmas with a new heart.

Just eight weeks after having a heart transplant operation toddler Ella is back to being ’a cheeky little girl’ said her mum Amy Ash.

The youngster from Douglas underwent the gruelling nine-hour operation to replace her heart, which had an abnormal coronary artery.

Ella, who will be two on Boxing Day, was on life support at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle from June waiting for a suitable heart to be found.

Her parents Amy Ash and TJ Wiseman, who have been at her bedside throughout, had just two hours’ notice to prepare for the operation.

Within hours of it taking place, Ella was sitting up in bed playing with her toys.

She was discharged from hospital last week and the family is renting a place close to the hospital to attend regular follow up appointments.

’She is doing amazingly well,’ said Amy.

’We finally have our cheeky little girl back.

’I have missed running around after her so much.

’I am so happy to have things back to normal even if it does mean lots of medicines a day and lots of hospital appointments.

’We can finally go out as a family.

’She has weekly appointments and she’s also not allowed on public transport or around other people apart from family until she’s three months post-transplant.’

She added: ’Ella eats and drinks a lot more.

’She’s always on the go now and lively. She is also putting a lot more weight.’

Relatives from the island are joining them for Christmas and Ella’s birthday.

’I am not sure Ella understands about Christmas and birthdays still but I am going to make this year extra special for her and it’s going to be all about her.

’I am just so happy this year is over.

’I never want to experience something like that again it was the most heartbreaking thing to ever happen to me.

’But the main thing is that she’s still here and she’s better now and she can also lead a normal life. There are certain things she can’t do or eat, but that won’t stop her from being a kid.’