The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Best ever Christmas for little Clodagh (6)
SPECIAL CHRISTMAS FOR KILLORGLIN GIRL (6) WHO RECEIVED DAD’S KIDNEY
THE sight of a little girl on Christmas morning playing with a Barbie doll is one that many parents will have taken for granted this Christmas. But for parents, Tim and Georgina O’Shea, it’s a sight they hoped, rather than expected, to see just twelve months previous.
So far, all’s well for 6-yearold Clodagh O’Shea as she enjoyed her first Christmas since undergoing a lifesaving kidney transplant in October when her dad Tim donated one of his kidneys. It’s been a tough journey back for the family ever since Clodagh’s diagnoses just after her fifth birthday in July, 2015. Clodagh is currently off dialysis and back eating and playing normally again which is the kind of Christmas present mom and dad wished hard for.
“We couldn’t have foreseen a Christmas together just a year ago and things are good now so we’ll just take every day as it comes. It’s still early days and the first 12 months are vital but she’s in great spirts and a lot of it went over her head; she’s very brave that way. Barbie is her favourite doll and it was lovely to see her playing on Christmas morning,” said Tim.
The O’Shea family were on their way home to Killorglin from Temple Street Hospital in Dublin when Tim took my call on Tuesday afternoon, as Clodagh still attends hospital three times a week. It’s still early days since the transplant but the hope is that visits to Temple Street will become less frequent in the weeks and months ahead.
“We had a break from Dublin for a few days around Christmas but we usually take a trip there two or three times a week, for now at least. The hope is that it will eventually be whittled down to one visit and, all going well, no more visits there,” added Tim.
Lastly, Tim wanted to express his thanks to everyone from Killorglin, and beyond, for their support throughout Clodagh’s ordeal and he especially praised the hospital staff for helping Clodagh the way they have.
“We’ve had incredible support from everyone at home since Clodagh’s illness and they’ve really helped us get prepared for what we’ve been through over the last 15 months. And as for the hospital staff, I couldn’t thank them enough. We’ll take it one day at a time from here on and this Christmas was a big change from what we had and it was special for us. For Clodagh it all seemed normal which is what matters most,” concluded Tim.
Clodagh had been on dialysis since September, 2015, where she was linked up to the life-saving machine in her home for over 12-hours a day. Clodagh also had to avoid infection which resulted in minimal contact with people. However, she continued to attend Scoil Mhuire, missing only the odd week for treatment.