A toddler and his family are looking forward to celebrating a second Christmas together, after he was able to receive successful life-saving heart surgeries.
It was also thanks to a quick-thinking nurse, who responded immediately when Bobby, aged one, became very ill, that his mother’s first Christmas wish came true.
Bobby, from Waterford, was born in July 2018 with a congenital heart defect and was taken to Crumlin children’s hospital in Dublin, now known as Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin (CHI).
Bobby is the second child of Kim Toms, who also has an older child named Freddie.
After receiving initial treatment, Bobby’s family was able to take him home - but had to return to Crumlin two weeks later for his first heart surgery, a pulmonary artery banding.
Mum Kim praised the staff at Crumlin for saving her baby’s life.
She said: “His nurse in the Intensive Care Unit was fantastic. She looked after him for his whole stay there and it was such a comfort during such a terrifying time.”
Bobby then had to return to hospital two months later, in September 2018, for a cardiac catheterisation, when he developed a blood clot. After recovering from that, he had to return to hospital for another surgery - and it was then that a quick-thinking nurse saved his life.
“We returned again in November for another surgery but Bobby wasn’t well. His nurse didn’t leave his side the morning he started to go downhill.
“I have never seen a nurse react so quickly. I dread to think what the consequences may have been otherwise.”
Poor Bobby developed another blood clot - but was able to recover well enough to spend Christmas at home with his family.
Kim said: “It was such a special time for my family. We were in a little bubble in our own house. Santa came to visit and Freddie was delighted to have us home! It was like my secret Christmas wish had come true!”
In January Bobby had his next heart surgery, and he will have to have at least one more, when he is two or three years old.
His proud mother says he is a happy baby, despite everything he has been through.
Kim said: “He’s one year old now and he’s a very content baby. In spite of everything he’s been through he’s so smiley and happy.”
She thanked all the staff who have provided life-saving care to Bobby.
She said: “From the bottom of our hearts we want to thank everyone in Crumlin for guiding us on this journey and helping us remain sane.
“I don’t even know where we would be without everyone who helped our beautiful baby.”
