Alexander’s story

Twenty weeks into her pregnancy, Mum Leesa was given the worrying news that her unborn son had a congenital diaphragmatic hernia. When baby Alexander was born doctors were standing ready and he was immediately intubated and transferred from Mater Mothers to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Queensland Children’s Hospital.

There were many treatments and complications in the first three weeks of Alexander’s life.  These included a cardiac arrest on day two, a large operation to repair the hernia, a bleed on his brain, insertion of chest drains, sepsis, and a blood clot in the arm.

Mum, Leesa says of this time “We were absolutely petrified. We lived in constant fear. It was extremely difficult because we were trying to be strong for our five-year-old daughter, Willow, who was so excited tofinally have a sibling”.

“We cannot emphasize enough how helpful the volunteer cuddle carers were while we spent 12 weeks in the ward – this service made the most difficult of situations so much more bearable and easier to cope with”.

“We didn’t receive many visitors so these angels provided us with the only respite we would get – enabling us to do our laundry or go outside into the fresh air for 30 minutes.”

Alexander has just turned one and is starting to love cars, trucks, tractors and animals. His sister Willow has been helpful in assisting with Alexander’s physio.

This little fighter is hitting some amazing milestones and has a bright future ahead.

Story written and details correct June 2019