One St Ninians family will make Christmas this year one to remember with the addition of a ‘miracle’ new member of the family.
Novah Hope Richardson was born back in April after just 26 weeks and has faced a huge host of health issues in her young life – including undergoing five operations to her head, being diagnosed with cerebral palsy, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and contracting coronavirus.
Little Novah was given just a five per cent chance of survival when she was born weighing just two pounds.
During her pregnancy, mum Stacey Paterson, developed a lack of amniotic fluid around her precious daughter, which lead to the numerous health scares.
When Novah was born she required blood transfusions and soon developed a brain haemorrhage on the left side of her head.
Doctors at Forth Valley Royal Hospital sent her to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow for specialist treatment.
The youngster then underwent five different head operations – including ones to insert an emergency tap to drain the fluid and another to insert a shunt in her head.
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She later underwent further surgery to remove the shunt. However, a CT scan then showed that the bleed had become worse than ever, with Stacey saying her head looked “like a rugby ball”.
Stacey said: “It was a month after she was born before we could even hold her, which was hard on us all. You just feel so helpless.”
Now at home and healing up, Stacey added: “The doctors and nurses are mesmerised by how well she’s doing.”
To compound the struggle, the entire family, including Novah contracted coronavirus earlier this year.
The tot’s health struggles have taken their toll on mum and dad Stacey and Ricky, but the family is now looking forward to spending the festive period at home.
Novah will spend the festive period with siblings – Caitlin (12), Lucy (8), Luke (6), Cole (6) and Lee (3).
Stacey said: “This year is an extra special Christmas.
“This little darling is showing her doctors and neuro team the little miracle that she is. We couldn’t thank all her “auntie” nurses and doctors for everything they have done for us.
“Without them we wouldn’t be having our amazing little girl here for Christmas.”
