Story
We are both Heart Warrior Mums who want to give back to Crumlin for the amazing care for both of our cardiac kids. Our families are forever indebted to the doctors, surgeons, nurses and staff at Crumlin Hospital and in the Children's Heart Centre who cared for our heart warriors and supported us throughout our stay in the hospital.
Sylvia's son Eoin was born in Dec 2014, a perfectly healthy baby, as we thought at the time. However at his two week check-up the GP heard a murmur. The next day, days before Christmas, we met the heart specialist in CUH. In January we met Prof Colin McMahon who confirmed Eoin would need open heart surgery, as he had a ventricular septal defect and two atrial septal defects. A 14 weeks in March 2015 Eoin underwent surgery to repair his heart. Surgery was carried out by the very capable Prof Mark Redmond and his team, who successfully repaired Eoins heart. He attends regular check-ups in Crumlin as a follow up and he has recovered fully. He is growing up a healthy little boy, running, playing ball and exploring.
Tara's daughter Rachael was born with a rare heart condition Ebsteins Anomoly and was rushed to Crumlin at 1 day old. Thankfully she had a short stay and was sent home on medication for the first 2 years. She lived life like a normal little girl, with regular check ups in Crumlin and Cork. As she became exercise intolerant , tired and more regular blue spells from summer 2018, the MRI showed it was time to schedule her surgery. Rachael had her open heart surgery in May this year performed by the amazing Dr Lars Nolke. It was a tough time in Crumlin but she is home and making the most of her summer holidays, recovering and resuming life with lots of energy. We are hopeful this surgery will bring her into adulthood, she will be life time monitored and we remain positive and in awe of her.