Owen
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Four year old Owen from Nowra, NSW, was born with a complex digestive tract disease called trachael oesophageal fistula. Within hours of his birth, Owen was flown by emergency helicopter to Sydney Children’s Hospital, NSW, for emergency surgery to reverse the incorrect placement of his oesophagus which was joined to his airway, making feeding and breathing a major problem.
The operation was a success. Owen’s frightened parents Vicky and Glen were relieved after three stressful days in the Intensive Care Unit, to have their tiny baby in their arms and recovering on the ward after the traumatic start to Owen’s life. |
“Owen’s condition means that he has trouble keeping food down and at three months despite all our best efforts he was failing to gain weight which was a major concern. We travelled back to Sydney Children’s Hospital to meet with the Digestive Tract Diseases Unit for their specialist care and advice,” said Vicky.
At Sydney Children’s Hospital, Owen received nourishment through a nasogastric tube and underwent major abdominal surgery to wrap his stomach around his food pipe to prevent him from rejecting food. Owen also had a gastronomy button inserted into his abdomen and was fed directly through the tube into his stomach.
Owen is now at pre-school and loves riding his bike and playing with his brothers and sister. He still uses the feeding pump at night and gradually over time, doctors hope that he will eat regularly and maintain his weight.
“Over the past four years, there have been many ups and downs with Owen’s health and multiple admissions and surgeries. If it wasn’t for the Digestive Tract Diseases Unit I don’t know where we’d be - they have been so accessible, professional and dedicated to helping Owen,” said Vicky.
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