Leicester Mercury

Wait for surgery continues for poorly tot Tedd

- By LEE GARRETT lee.garrett@reachplc.com @leegarrett­22

A TODDLER needing “high risk” surgery to fix his heart and lungs is facing delays after falling ill with flu.

Teddy Brimble-Coupe has been waiting for the surgery at Leicester’s Children’s Hospital for weeks and is now there “24-7” according to his parents.

The toddler has faced many struggles since his birth in November 2021, with Teddy needing surgery at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital to fix a series of issues with his heart and lungs.

However, he has now fallen ill, meaning his wait goes on.

Teddy’s dad Jamie Brimble is by his side throughout, and has been repeatedly told his son has to be clear of illness before surgery can proceed.

He said: “By the time the doctors do one thing, he gets something else. He has to be symptomati­c free.”

For now, Teddy, who came down with flu earlier this month, is based at Leicester’s Children’s Hospital until he gets better.

His mum, Adele Coupe, is also by his side, with the couple, from the Mansfield area, saying their son was now trapped in hospital “24-7” ahead of the surgery.

The operation would be the latest in a long line of surgery Teddy has faced. At just three weeks old, he had open heart surgery and was then found to be suffering from an “unsafe swallow”.

These airway problems mean the youngster’s breathing is difficult and surgery is vital. However, the Brimble-Coupes have been trying to raise £1,000 to fund Teddy’s transfer to Great Ormond Street.

That can only happen when he is asymptomat­ic. So far, £750 has been raised for the family, with any donations through their fundraiser helping fund travel and care costs for the whole family too.

Mr Brimble thanked those who had donated so far, but revealed Teddy’s wait goes on.

He said: “He is still waiting for the CT scan. All we know is they will not touch him at the moment as he is testing positive for influenza type 3.

“By the time they do one thing, he gets something else. All the nurses say how good he is, bless him.”

 ?? JAMIE BRIMBLE ?? FLU: Teddy Brimble-Coupe has spent much of his short life in hospital
JAMIE BRIMBLE FLU: Teddy Brimble-Coupe has spent much of his short life in hospital

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