Four-month-old Freddie at home after ‘world class recovery’ from heart op
Four-month-old Freddie from Mullingar has made a “world class recovery” after open heart surgery last week and is now home with is family.
Freddie Fenton (below) was born with AVSD, which is three defects of the heart, spotted by Sheila Briody at Scan Me in Mullingar.
Freddie’s father, Robbie, explained that he and Freddie’s mother, Ciara, learned about his diagnosis at the 12-week scan.
“Only for Shelia flagging that at the time, she prepared us and gave us months’ notice and referred us to the maternity hospital at Holles Street, Dublin,” Robbie said.
He and Ciara were told the heart condition is common in children with Down Syndrome, so Freddie also underwent genetic testing, which confirmed that he has Down Syndrome.
“Only for Sheila finding the heart defect, we wouldn’t have got to that stage of knowing we were having a kid with Down Syndrome, which is beautiful – he’s a beautiful little boy,” Robbie said.
On Monday March 7, Freddie went in for heart surgery with Dr Lars Nolke, and spent three nights in ICU, after which Robbie and Ciara were able to bring him home to his brother, Harry, on Saturday week last, March 12.
“The whole week was a blur for us, it was a haze, and we were delighted to get him home. Family members got a red carpet out to welcome him home and balloons and everything,” Robbie said.
“He is absolutely flying. The future is looking great, he will have a check-up in six weeks’ time. The future for Freddie and Harry is plenty of fun. We’re taking them to Disneyland and Lanzarote in August to celebrate what we’ve went through,” Robbie said.
Robbie and Ciara were blown away by the care Freddie got and also the support of their community.
“The care he received in Mullingar hospital was out of this world. From the cleaners to the doctors, nurses, and surgeons, they were 10 out of 10, we could not fault them,” Robbie said.
“Hundreds of people are writing to us about him, ringing us and schools are wishing him well. The sense of community we got and the backing and support from everyone has been amazing,” Robbie said.