Story
As some of you know, the Grand Appeal is a truly great charity that does amazing work. I have helped raise some money for them in the past and will continue to do whatever I can to support them because of this...
It was evident within minutes of Eilidh being born that something was not quite as expected. Eilidh was whisked away by the paediatric team in Derriford to investigate and within the hour it was confirmed by x-ray that Eilidh was born with a tracheosophageal fistula and oesophageal atresia (TOF/OA). This condition meant that without surgery Eilidh would not be able to swallow due to the top of her oesophagus being closed and the bottom joined to her trachea (windpipe), this also gave her a high risk of addition respiratory complications. Eilidh was transferred to St Michaels hospital the following morning and at 3 days old had surgery to correct the TOF/OA. Post surgery Eilidh was sedated and paralysed for 3 days and she had to be fed through a tube for 3 weeks until we could establish breastfeeding.
Eilidh suffered a collapsed lung post surgery and had to have intensive physio, her veins collapsed and they couldn’t gain access so she had to have lines placed into her scalp as these were the only veins that would allow for administration of medication. We stayed there for 4 weeks. Eilidh has since has 3 further operations in Bristol Children’s Hospital and will need a further to close a hole in her heart. Without the help of the Grand Appeal and Cots For Tots we would never have been able to have stayed with Eilidh. They provided us with a place to stay so that we were no more than a few minutes away from her side and a direct telephone line into the NICU department so that we were always able to have our questions answered. The doctors and nurses became our biggest support system going above and beyond for us. Thanks to donations raised we as a family were able to stay together and follow Eilidh to Bristol. Please support Phil, without selfless people like him many families will not be able to have those precious moments. Desiree (Eilidh's Mummy)'
I will be covering the costs of particiapting in this event myself so that every penny I raise goes where it is needed to support the great work of St Michaels and the Grand Appeal.