Mum thanks Crumlin Hospital
The mother of a baby who spent most of his first year of life in hospital has urged people to donate to Crumlin Children’s Hospital this Christmas.
Tina Falvey from Cork gave birth to 'little superhero' Conor in May of last year only to see him go under the knife at just 11 hours old.
After his birth, doctors immediately diagnosed Conor with tracheoesophageal fistula and an imperforate anus, two separate conditions meaning both his oesophagus and anus were not fully formed.
Tina said: “He would not be here today without the team in Crumlin. His first surgery for both conditions took place when he was only 11 hours old. I think I was in complete shock.”
Conor went on to have eight surgeries, three trips to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and a collapsed lung within the 12 months that followed his birth.
At one point during winter 2018, the family were driving to Dublin every three weeks for surgeries, something Tina said they could not have got through without the support they received from medical staff.
“CHI at Crumlin really is a loving, caring community. The small touches like the slice of toast brought to you in the morning as you have a sleeping sick baby on your chest, or the toys they give out to the kids whenever they can. They go above and beyond every time,” said Tina.
Conor, who turned one in May, is now a picture of health and, all going well, will not require any further surgeries.
Tina said: “We hoped to get all the surgeries done before he would remember them, so hopefully, all things going well, we’ve done that now. Conor is so smiley and happy. He’s been through so much but he’s even stronger for it.”
Tina is urging people to remember Children's Medical & Research Foundation (CMRF) Crumlin when they are making donations this festive season.
CMRF Crumlin raise vital funds for Children's Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin, which is where baby Conor spent most of his first year of life.
To support CMRF Crumlin this Christmas and make a donation, visit cmrf.org/donate.