Charlee
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One year old Charlee was born with multiple health conditions affecting her heart and airways. At only nine weeks of age she underwent her first operation on her heart. She continues to visit the Hospital regularly so doctors can monitor her complex condition.
“We often go back and forth from our home in Goulburn to the Hospital, and have spent about five months in total actually living at the Hospital”, said Charlee’s mother Jamey, who has never left her daughter’s side during her many hospital admissions. |
When Charlee was home in April 2007, Jamey noticed her daughter was having trouble breathing. After being airlifted to Sydney Children’s Hospital, tests revealed Charlee had a benign tumor growing in her airways, drastically reducing her breathing capacity. “The growth had blocked 70-80% of Charlee’s airway. It was like she was breathing through a straw. Thankfully it was discovered and the specialist team at Sydney Children’s Hospital were able to get her breathing under control,” said Jamey.
Over seven months, Charlee was treated with a course of steroids, chemotherapy and laser surgery to stop the tumour growing and shrinking it. The tumor has now stopping growing and will hopefully shrink away on its own.
“Eventually Charlee will only visit the Hospital monthly and then yearly for check ups. Everyone at the Hospital are fantastic - all the staff make the experience of being in Hospital as positive as it can possibly be,” said Jamey..
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