Lowther, Oliver-Cash On the third day of the coronavirus shutdown in March, Ryan was delivered weighing only 1lb 3oz and measuring only 7in long. He has been fighting for his life for a long time, requiring medical care at three separate hospitals. He is now 12 weeks old and winning the fight. Oliver, who was born with a breach, has experienced two perforated bowel surgeries, 11 blood transfusions, two pulmonary bleeds, one brain bleed, three episodes of collapsed lungs, and cardiac problems. Oliver has earned the nickname “Rocky” for his struggle to survive.
The child eventually had the courage to surmount all challenges and reclaim his life with his parents. Frances, his 24-year-old mother, had to wait nine weeks before she could finally embrace her son. The feeling of motherly love couldn’t at the moment be effectively expressed with words. She said, ” “Even though it pained that I couldn’t hold him, when I was finally able to, it was the finest moment of my life. It was wonderful to be able to touch and hold my child. I didn’t know what to expect because I had been anticipating it for so long, but it was just great. It was unlike anything I’ve ever had.”
Now that I can embrace him every time I visit him in London, he enjoys it. For the first nine weeks, being unable to keep him was torturous, but now it’s unbelievable. He went from weighing 1lb 3oz at birth to almost 3lbs after gradually removing the ventilator for weight gain.
Consultant neonatologist Dr. Ryan Watkins of the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust said: “Young babies have a challenging start in life, which is why I am so proud of the professional care that our colleagues offer. For parents, this is never an easy moment, especially if they live far away “.
