Admitted to hospital after a routine 21 week scan, baby Tyler Tran went from being a high miscarriage risk to being born 2 weeks later at just 23 weeks weighing a mere (698g) 1lb 8oz... the next 72 hours were critical. The hours passed and he was still with us. He seemed to be doing well but on the 8th day of his life he took a massive turn for the worse as on top of being so under developed he was fighting a serious infection.
Consultants told us he was on maximum support and there was nothing else they could do for him. They said to us that he was deteriorating rapidly and would pass away in the next hour. Hearts were broken as everyone cried and prayed and said our goodbyes.
Somehow the hours turned to days and Tylerwas still fighting. His parents Charlene and Tay stayed at the hospital as much as was humanly possible. Baby Tyler was over a month old before his parents got to hold him for the first time - the love they felt for him that day was indescribable.
Tyler remained in the intensive neo-natal ward at Kings College Hospital for almost 5 months undergoing several extensive surgeries and suffering some severe infections due to his weak respiratory system.
He still needs regular check ups and is on medication, respiratory support on a frequent basis.
Since Tyler was born his mum has taken pictures of him every single day except the day the consultant told them he was going to pass away. On his 1st birthday they enjoyed over 3,600 pictures.
The real-life impact of this journey has meant that Charlene and Tay have used their little life-savings (intended as a rental deposit so they could move out of their current one room) in order to pay the travel to/from hospital, additional sustenance and Tyler's additional needs. Getting back to work hasn't been possible for Mum yet and Dad struggles with unsociable part-time working hours since losing his job due to all the absence from work to support Tyler.
Charlene and Tay have no idea about this fundraising!