Josh was blind for four days after his 9-hour op but it was worth it to give him a better life
Agony of parents who agreed to risky procedure for son
WHeN Joshua Duffy was just one, his parents had to make a heartwrenching decision – watch him undergo life-threatening surgery or face a future with serious health problems.
The family had just celebrated his first birthday and the happy, smiling baby was not yet displaying any symptoms of a rare skull condition.
But medics knew that as Joshua grew older, the Metopic Synostosis which was preventing his skull and brain growing properly could leave him with learning difficulties, crippling headaches and sight problems.
After much deliberation, mum Paula, 35, and dad Chris, 33, from Denny, Stirllingshire, decided their son should endure the nine hours of major surgery at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow – a procedure
which left him in high dependency and blind for four days.
The gamble paid off and now the family are setting out on a mission to repay the medical staff who helped give the fouryear-old – big brother to Amelia, two – his life back.
Paula said the decision to go ahead with surgery wasn’t taken lightly.
She added that the surgery would be long, intense and potentially life-threatening – all to prevent a series of “what-ifs”.
But Paula said: “However, the team at the Royal Hospital for Children were fantastic when it came to supporting us while we made the final decision.”
Joshua’s condition had caused the area between the nose and the top of his skull to fuse together and required specialist surgery to correct the problem.
His parents were separated from him for a whole night while the operation was carried out. But after an agonising wait, they were told the surgery had been a success. Chris said: “After just one night in high dependency he was moved back to the ward.
“For the first four days Joshua couldn’t see, which was very scary for him – and for us. The play programmes and entertainment provided by Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity made this all far less intimidating. We didn’t live locally so the Family Support Service at the children’s hospital kindly arranged a hotel room for us so we didn’t have to travel far.
“It’s little things like this – as well as the sheer skill of the surgeons and the care given by the doctors and nurses at the hospital – that we’ll always be grateful for. “For the moment, Joshua only needs regular check-ups but he may need surgery in the future.
“If that’s the case, we know he’ll be in the best hands. That’s why we want to give back to the charity and help to provide support to families like ours for years to come.”
Paula, Chris and a team of 13 family and friends will take on the Kiltwalk next month, walking 15 miles from Clydebank to Loch Lomond to support Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity.
The charity’s chief operating officer Kirsten Sinclair said: “We are incredibly grateful to Paula for rallying friends and family to take part in the Glasgow Kiltwalk in aid of the charity.
“We cannot thank the team enough for their generous fundraising efforts.
“Joshua is just one of thousands of children and young people we strive to support each year by funding cutting-edge equipment, play programmes and family support services, and every single person who takes on the Kiltwalk in our name really does make a difference.” ●The Glasgow Kiltwalk takes place on April 29.
To support Joshua’s team, visit https:// glasgowkiltwalk2019. everydayhero.com/uk/ the-fit-the-fat-and-the-funny
The team at the Royal Hospital were fantastic PAULA DUFFY JOSHUA’S MOTHER