‘It’s hard to believe Kylie Ann’s op will happen’
HOPES SURGERY WILL GO AHEAD IN MAY AFTER SIX-YEAR WAIT
A SCHOOLGIRL with scoliosis is hoping that her agonising six-year wait for life-changing surgery could soon be over.
The Star reported last month how Kylie Ann Stewart (10) is one of over 300 children who need surgery for scoliosis, a disease which causes a sideways curvature of the spine.
After Limerick boy Noah Quish (7) had the surgery on Monday, Kylie Ann’s parents were told that her op could be next month.
Her mum Catherine said: “We have been told that it is going to be in the middle of May.
“It is very hard to believe it will go ahead. It is a pressure that we don’t need. All we want is a confirmed date, but we still don’t have one.
“We were told before that Kylie Ann would have surgery within weeks but that time came and went, so we fear empty promises.
“We’ve had little Noah’s surgery in the back of our head all week, hoping for him that his surgery goes ahead. Hopefully now Kylie Ann’s surgery will go ahead too.”
Like Noah, Kylie Ann is attending Crumlin Children’s Hospital. The family were told her spine is now so curved that her lungs are being crushed, her breathing capacity is down to 54 per cent and will never recover fully.
Catherine said: “Our daughter has now lost 46 per cent lung capacity. That’s a big shock and to be told it will never be 100 per cent again is so difficult.
“They hope to get it back up to 70 per cent but there has to be responsibility for these children waiting for surgery.
“Their spines are curving and crushing their lungs. Kylie Ann is dreading surgery.”
Delays
Delays to scoliosis surgery emerged in 2022 when Temple Street Children’s Hospital cancelled several life-changing spine operations for kids.
In 2018, Kylie Ann’s family had been told she needed surgery within the year.
Her curvature, which is 138 degrees in her spine, means she is in so much pain she has to lie on the floor to ease it.
Her parents were warned she may need two ops before the curvature goes another 10 degrees.
Her mum told The Star: “We desperately hope that the operation is confirmed for next month and that it goes ahead.”