On the 19th November 2017 my beautiful wife had an emergency c-section and gave birth to our new wonderful son Alfie....

The Background:

Two weeks earlier Isobel became very unwell and was admitted to A&E with severe dehydration. As she was 37 weeks pregnant, she was transferred to the maternity unit where she underwent rehydration fluids treatment and after an overnight stay was released, prognosis severe stomach bug, hydration tablets advised…

4 days later Isobel was taken back into hospital with continued severe symptoms. The Gastroenterology team was called and swiftly Isobel underwent an exploratory operation. The doctors confirmed that their original diagnosis was wrong but in fact Isobel had a form of Inflammatory Bowl Disease called Ulcerative Colitis. Isobel and I had no idea what this was nor did we know what impact it would have in the short, medium and long term.

Ulcerative Colitis is a chronic condition. This means that it is ongoing and lifelong, although you may have long periods of good health known as remission, as well relapses or flare-ups when your symptoms are more active.

Remember, by this stage Isobel is 38 weeks pregnant and the symptoms continued and she became anaemic. She was injected with countless steroids, iron infusions and a blood transfusion. There was a very height chance she would lose her Colon altogether.....

A further 3 days passed and following steroid treatments the doctors consulted that in their opinion Isobel should receive a drug called Infliximab which was a relatively new treatment that had been very successful in treating the disease. The only complication…she was now nearly 39 weeks pregnant and the literature surrounding this drug indicated there could be various unknown risks to an unborn baby. They decided that in the best interests of their patient (my wife) there was very little option but to administer the drug or carry out an emergency C-section. The doctors consulted further and decided an emergency C-section could be a higher risk than administering the drug. 

That evening Infliximab was administered.

Two further days passed, for us the thought of having a baby within the next few days/week felt rather bewildering and from being fairly prepared, we were emotionally and physically drained. Isobel and ‘bump’ were monitored constantly, the babies heart beat/movements started to slow. A fetal Professor was requested onsite immediately. 

On the morning of 19^th November it was decided that the Alfie had to delivered that day. At 9.42pm at 7.6bls Alfred, Alexander, Desmond Pickering was born.

Whilst Isobel is recovering well, she will now need and receive constant lifetime medical treatment.

The Charity’s Help:

Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are the two main forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, affecting more than 300,000 people in the UK. Yet it is largely a hidden disease, and one that causes stigma, fear and isolation – it’s thought that many people with the condition go undiagnosed and suffer in silence. It doesn’t have to be like this.

It is hard for me to try and portray the fear, bewilderment and general helplessness we felt over that two week period and beyond. It was less than an ideal way to bring our boy into the world and coming to terms with the lifelong treatment for Isobel has been difficult.

After days of being sleep deprived I emailed Crohn’s & Colitis UK in desperation of not being given enough information by the medical profession. I received an email and call almost instantly reaching out to help Isobel, in terms of literature, focus group help, a UK WC key access for the entire UK and support network information. 

I cannot thank the charity and all the people involved in Isobel’s recovery enough. I have therefore decided to raise money for the charity to give other people the opportunity to get the support they need like we received.

If you have any anything to spare and empathise with the above story, please help me.

Thank you all very much in advance.

Harry, Isobel and Alfie.

P.S I am terrified about doing this marathon, please come and shout for me if you can.