The family of a baby girl diagnosed with a life-threatening brain condition at just three weeks old want to repay the medics who saved her.
Islay Smither seemed healthy when she was born in June last year. But after suffering a string of worrying symptoms, she was diagnosed with hydrocephalus – a neurological condition causing a build up of fluid on the brain.
When surgery to prevent brain damage and potentially fatal complications failed, the tot deteriorated further.
But thanks to the skill of neurosurgeons, a second operation was a success and the now nine-month-old is doing well at home in Blantyre, Lanarkshire, with dad Ross, mum Stephanie Orr, both 20, and big brother Ollie, one.
Stephanie said she will never forget what the neurology ward at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow did for Islay and has recruited a team of 15 to tackle the 23-mile Kiltwalk next week in aid of Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity.
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She said: “We’ll be forever indebted to the neurology ward for saving my little princess’s life and to the charity for supporting us through tough times.
“Rallying the team for the Kiltwalk is the least I could do and it’s just one of the ways we plan to support the charity in years to come.”
Islay was just days old when she became lifeless and started vomiting.
Medics could find no reason for her symptoms and she was allowed to go home. But two days later, as her temperature soared, a CT scan revealed she was suffering from a bleed on the brain and she was transferred to Glasgow for specialist checks.
Stephanie said: “The diagnosis was terrifying. But our neurosurgeon Roddy O’Kane made sure I understood every detail by drawing sketches and using non-clinical terms.”
Within days, Islay had her first surgery, designed to drain the fluid from her brain.
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Initially, her condition improved, but quickly deteriorated again.
After 10 days, a second surgery was needed to insert a shunt in her brain at just five weeks old. Stephanie said: “She had her surgery on the Friday and was back home with me, her dad and her big brother by the Monday. We had a lot of lost bonding time to make up for.”
Islay is still under the care of the Royal Hospital for Children and since her shunt, she has had to return to hospital for another small procedure but she is now doing well.
Kirsten Sinclair, chief operating Officer at Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “To ensure we can continue giving children like Islay and their families the extra special care they deserve in hospital, we’re looking for more people to join our Kiltwalk team to make every step and every penny count for our young patients.”
● For more on Team Islay – or to donate – visit their page here.
