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Our beautiful son Albie Ace was born with a condition called posterior urethral valves at 37 weeks, after a relatively rocky start he was transferred to Bristol Children’s hospital where he has had three operations, the first at 6 days old. The urology and renal teams at the hospital have gifted us with a very happy and healthy little boy and we owe them everything, their care and support throughout the last year or so has been first class and this is our chance to give something back.

Posterior urethral valves (or PUV for short) is a condition found only in boys. It affects the urethra (the tube which runs from the bladder to the outside). In boys with PUV, the urethra has a blockage in it near the bladder. This makes it difficult to pass urine, instead the bladder pushes hard to get the urine out, which causes pressure, that can result in urine being pushed back from the bladder into the ureters and kidneys. This causes the kidneys and bladder to swell and can lead to kidney damage. 

Albie was diagnosied prenatally with this condition and transferred to BCH on day 2 of his life, the NEST ambulance service assisted with transportation from our local hospital to BCH, they were fabulous, very supportive and a pleasure to ride with, but for new parents it was shocking seeing him hooked up with all the tubes, monitors and in an incubator so large. THANK YOU NEST

We met Albie’s Superhero, his Urology Surgeon, Mr Shalaby shortly after arriving at the hospital, who arranged a VCUG and informed us that Albie would require surgery to remove the valves. He explained everything to us so we understood that there would be lots of scans, procedures and operations to come in the future. He wasn’t wrong and we would like to thank him for being there every step of the way, he also gave us news recently that Albie’s bladder has started to behave itself a little more normally, a credit to both his fantastic surgery and aftercare and our attempts with CIC and keeping on top of his medication. THANK YOU TO MR SHALABY AND HIS WONDERFUL UROLOGY TEAM. 

We stayed in hospital for 12 days in the Renal Ward, where the nurses, doctors and tea lady took such amazing care of us, they gave us a private room so we could carry on with our new role at becoming first time parents with our poorly little man in privacy. Albie was constantly monitored, supported by a feeding tube and catheter to assist him to remain as healthy as possible. We also were introduced to a lovely urology nurse, Lynne who has the patience of a saint, and has been such a fabulous support throughout this journey. THANK YOU TO THE RENAL AND EXTRA SPECIAL THANKS TO LYNNE FOR TEACHING US SO MUCH. 

Originally we were terrified at the thought of operations and our responsibility in managing this ongoing condition that will effect Albie for the rest of his life. A later kidney scan has now confirmed that Albie only has one functioning kidney, the other has no function due to the high level of reflux damage prenatally. Our main priority going forwards is to protect his one functioning kidney as much as possible which includes clean intermittent catheterisation (CIC), daily medication and regular check ups. 

Our intial worries and upset have soon changed to strength and today we hope that you support us in our efforts to raise funds for BCH, to thank them for their amazing work. In our eyes, they have saved our little boy. With patience, calmness and the ability to explain things clearly, they have made our journey as stress free as it possibly can be. We are eternally grateful to the hospital.

Albie if you are reading this in the next few years just know that you are the bravest boy ever, and your family are so proud of you. You have overcome so much already in your short little life. You are our inspiration, such a happy little boy and full of life to the brim. We will teach you all about your condition in the future and hope that it will not restrict you too much, but I have no doubt that you will become an advocate for your condition and help many others along the way. Love you to the moon and back, you are perfect in everyway xx