THE MIGHTY QUINN
Gutsy Moolap tot’s amazing story is exactly why you should dig deep today
LOOKING at Quinn O’Leary, a bubbly baby who loves dancing to Ed Sheeran, it’s hard to imagine that a year ago he was fighting for life.
Apart from the large scar on his stomach, there are no immediate signs of the daunting health battle he experienced in his first few months.
Last year on Good Friday, the Moolap baby was undergoing surgery — one of the 21 surgeries he endured in his first 10 weeks.
At 32 weeks’ gestation, a scan at Geelong hospital revealed what was suspected to be a narrowing of Quinn’s bowel.
Quinn was transferred to the Royal Children’s Hospital just hours after he was born nearby in Melbourne.
It was to be his home for 101 days, as his loving parents Brooke and Sean grappled with uncertainty as their baby, affectionately nicknamed ‘the mighty Quinn’, underwent frequent operations.
Quinn’s bowel had twisted in utero, and mere days into his life, it twisted again, due to a condition known as malrotation of the volvulus.
“We were told something like 90 per cent of babies that have this in pregnancy (miscarry),” Mrs O’Leary said.
When Quinn, who turned one on Tuesday, was just a few days old, the family was told to prepare for the worst.
“The rest is history, he proved us all wrong,” Mr O’Leary said. “There was (talk of) him not making the day, then they didn’t know if his bowel would work for the rest of his life, they didn’t know if he’d have a feeding tube for the rest of his life.”
The brave baby ended up having 21 surgeries, the final one nine hours long, in his first two and half months of life.
Quinn’s stomach was left open during the entire period, as doctors removed the “dead parts” of his bowel.
“It was just touch and go each surgery,” Mrs O’Leary said.
His parents’ time in Melbourne at hospital with Quinn was made even more difficult by the fact they had three kids back home in Geelong.
Doctors prescribed Quinn innovative medication from the UK in hopes it would improve his condition.
“Every second day they
“It was just touch and go each surgery.” BROOK O’LEARY
would go in, remove any dead parts (of the bowel) … until eventually it stopped dying, which was a good day.
“The surgeon said to us, ‘I think he’s going to have enough bowel to survive’.”
Fifty per cent of his bowel was removed throughout the process.
Quinn lived at the Royal Children’s for more than three months — meaning his family was delayed in relishing small moments such as taking Quinn outside, or giving him a proper bath.
Although he was a “little behind” at the start of his life, Quinn is now flying through his milestones, Mrs O’Leary said.
Apart from allergies, Quinn has no major ongoing issues, except he may require B12 injections in the future.
“Now he’s feeding great,” Mrs O’Leary said.
“We’re very lucky to have him, but not only that, he’s got no tubes or bags.”
This year, they’re celebrating his first year with a party to fundraise for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
The family couldn’t be more thankful to the hospital and its staff.
They even became so close with one nurse, she’s Quinn’s godmother.
“We’re so grateful … just the people you meet up there and the stories of people travelling from all around Australia,” he said.
“We’re so lucky to be an hour down the road, and they become your family.”
The family has already raised $2000 for the appeal through a raffle, and is hoping to raise more for the appeal today.
To donate to the Good Friday Appeal, visit http:// goodfridayappeal.com.au/