On 5th Dec 2016, our second son Aragorn was born prematurely into intensive care; he has a rare congenital condition called Chylothorax. So rare, it affects 1 in 20,000 babies.

We spent months seeing the amazing Fetal Medicine team before the birth, who attempted difficult in utero shunt placement procedures, unfortunately without success. We read and read about his condition - Aragorn's lymphatic system isn't working and causes fluid to build up on his chest, pressuring his little lungs and heart.

The treatment involves keeping his pleural space free of fluid via chest drains, drugs and mechanical ventilation, allowing him to hopefully heal and develop.

Some days the fluid is so severe, his chest recesses that deeply, that you worry if he'll even survive the day. He was paralysed in his first week, whilst the team stabilised his critical condition, only a tube down his throat keeping him alive. He's been on morphine, several other drugs and antibiotics since birth - even the Doctors are baffled at times, with which steps to take to recovery. You pray every day for him to turn a corner, but the condition yo-yo's. It is a constant battle for him and us.

Throughout this journey, we balance the daily visits around his 2 year old brother, desperately timing his afternoon naps in his pram to catch Aragorn's consultants.

We find ourselves at a crossroad in our lives, managing the whole traumatic experience on our own and it has become so very tough in the past couple of weeks, as I had to sign off work for the stress we are going through.

Any funds donated would therefore be helping our little family pull through its very darkest hours, until we are able to get back up off the floor.

We also wish to give back to the Fetal Medicine Unit who are superb, raise awareness about Aragorn's condition and support other parents who may have a chylous baby born into the world.

Thank you for reading and any support, no matter how little, you may wish to make.