Kidney disease fight mum’s joy celebrating her first Mother’s Day
Thrilled Colette says little baby Croia is a ‘true miracle’
A WOMAN with kidney disease has told of her joy ahead of Mother’s Day at welcoming her new miracle baby.
Colette Hawe, 37, from Charleville, Co Cork was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease at the age of 24 and worried about her chances of ever having a child.
Now she and her partner Morgan Lyons are preparing to celebrate her first mother’s day this Sunday at home with their little newborn girl Croia, which means “heart”.
Colette’s journey took a turn for the better in January 2020 when she underwent a kidney transplant, paving the way for her to pursue her dream of starting a family.
She said: “Our baby is truly a miracle, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude.
“For a long time I faced uncertainty of ever being able to have a successful pregnancy with my kidney disease and not knowing if I would end up on dialysis and how long I’d be on the waiting list for a transplant.”
Just a fortnight ago, at 34 weeks, Colette gave birth to Croia who weighed in at 2kg (4.41lbs).
The emotional event was marked by a special bedside visit from her Consultant Nephrologist, Prof Liam Plant.
As a pre-term baby, Croia has been monitored in CUH’S Neonatal ward.
She is thriving and expected to join her parents at home in time for Mother’s Day.
Prof Plant is set to retire later this month.
Throughout his career he has contributed to the safe journey towards birth of more than 50 babies for kidney transplant patient mothers, as well as many other babies whose mothers had other degrees of kidney failure.
Colette said he has been more than a doctor to her.
She said: “Prof Plant diagnosed my chronic kidney disease in 2014 following a referral from my GP.
“Since then, he has been more than a doctor to me, he has been a guardian angel.
“His retirement next week will mark the end of an era, but I am forever grateful for his unwavering support.
“Croia now holds the title of being his last kidney baby before he retires, and we are happy for her to have that special title.”
Colette expressed gratitude to the family of the deceased organ donor whose gift made her transplant possible.
She added: “I am eternally grateful to the donor and their family for giving me a second chance at life and the opportunity to become a mother.
“They have left an incredible legacy with their gift of life to me and my family and now the circle of life continues.”
Prof Plant said: “One of the greatest privileges of my professional life has been to participate in the joyful event of mothers with renal transplants being able to have a baby.
“Their births are a testament to the resilience of patients with kidney disease and their families”.
The donor has left an incredible legacy with their gift of life to me COLETTE HAWE MUM CELEBRATES BIRTH