Maeve and Nella are little miracles
For Byron Bay twin girls, Maeve and Nella it is a miracle to be alive. They were born at only 26 weeks gestation when their mum Samala suddenly went into premature labour.
Samala was admitted to the Tweed Hospital then transferred to the Mater Mothers’ Hospital to ensure her daughters would receive the specialist care they’d need once born.
After making their dramatic entrance into the world the tiny little Maeve and Nella were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Both girls battled for life with Maeve developing a life-threatening infection at only two weeks of age.
Finally at 17 weeks of age, the girls were healthy enough to return home with their family to Byron Bay. They are now very healthy and happy three-year-olds who are meeting all of their growth and development milestones.
Samala says "without the Mater, we would not have our beautiful girls".
Pascal's fantastic recovery
Earlier this year, ten year old Pascal was seriously injured in a surfing accident in his home town of Byron Bay.
Hit in the head by a runaway surf board, Pascal suffered a fractured skull and the lining of his brain was ruptured. Conscious throughout the entire ordeal, Pascal told his family he could “put his finger inside his brain.”
He was transferred from Byron Hospital to Tweed Hospital and then to the Mater Children’s Hospital for specialist care, where he underwent emergency surgery.
Seven titanium plates were used to fix the hole in his head and Pascal now has a permanent reminder of his brush with death – a 15cm scar.
Mum Tara knows she was very lucky that her son suffered no damage to his brain or hearing and credits the expertise of Mater staff for saving the life of her son.
“Everyone at the hospital was so helpful and friendly, and I am sure it helped the amazing recovery of Pascal. Today he’s happily back in the surf, wearing his helmet to protect his precious little head.”
Healthy days for the Day boys
Kylie Day’s three precious little boys all had a difficult start to life. Harrison, 4, Bradan, 2 and Kyle, 1 were all born with rhesus isoimmunisation which saw them receiving treatment at the Mater Mothers’ Hospital before they were born.
A blood incompatibility disorder where the mother’s blood type is not compatible with the fetus, rhesus isoimmunisation can cause serious complications during pregnancy.
Harrison, Braydon and Kyle each received inter uterine blood transfusions in the stomach at 12 weeks gestation, with further transfusions continuing for two weeks whilst in the Mater Mothers’ Hospital Neonatal Critical Care Unit after they were born.
All three boys are now happy and thriving at their home in Gordonvale, half an hour south of Cairns.
Kylie says “We received the best support and care at the Mater. We are very grateful for our three healthy boys.”
Little Ashley's life saving surgery
While he was still in his mum’s womb it was discovered that Ashley would be born with his bowel outside of his abdomen.
When Ashley’s mum Zoe unexpectedly went into labour at 36 weeks, she had to be airlifted from Cairns to the Mater Mothers’ Hospital in Brisbane as Ashley would need immediate surgery after birth.
On New Years Day 2009, Ashley was welcomed into the world and he endured life-saving surgery that evening. He spent the first few days of his life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and another week in the Special Care Nursery, before being allowed to go home with his family to Mareeba in North Queensland.
One year on Ashley has made a fantastic recovery and is now a normal healthy little boy.
"The staff at the Mater Mothers' Hospital were wonderful. The hospital experience was the best that one could hope for under the circumstances,” said Zoe.
Madison and Sarah's fight for life
Born a staggering 15 weeks premature, tiny twin girls Madison and Sarah made their dramatic entrance into the world at the Mater Mothers’ Hospital in May 2008.
With a combined weight of just over 1 kilogram, both girls were given slim chances of survival and spent 12 weeks in the Neonatal Critical Care Unit. Receiving round-the-clock care from a team of over 50 dedicated Mater staff, the tiny girls waged their battle for life.
Thankfully, the strong little girls made it through and mum Deborah and dad Kade are now looking forward to celebrating their miracle daughters’ second birthdays.
“It was a frightening experience but we never gave up hope that we would take our babies home healthy. We can’t thank the Mater enough,” says Deborah.
On the road to recovery
Nina’s four-year-old twins Jack and Hamish were born with Jeune syndrome an extremely rare disorder which limits growth and restricts the development of the liver, kidney and lungs.
Nina and her husband Damien were unaware of their sons’ illness until Jack started to have difficulty breathing at the age of two. Tests showed that Jack needed a new kidney. After months of waiting, a suitable kidney was donated.
“From diagnosis to recovery, we would not have got by without the dedicated Mater staff. They were there for us when our whole world changed and now they’re helping us to live a normal life again.” Nina said.
The Mater remains a second home for the Rose family as Jack spends three days each week at clinic and is receiving follow-up care. Hamish has had no signs of trouble to date but doctors will keep a close eye on him.