Hannah Medson has repeatedly defied the odds after her premature birth and this week took her first steps. Picture: Keryn Stevens
Source: News Limited
AS Hannah Medson searches excitedly for Easter eggs today, each footstep will represent another small victory for a girl who has defied the odds.
The Aberfoyle Park toddler was born at 27 weeks and six days, weighing just over 1kg and measuring the length of a ball-point pen.
Her proud parents Jenni and Peter Medson said it was a miracle their two-year-old daughter survived her ordeal.
“The doctors said she had an 80 to 85 per cent chance of major disabilities before she was even born,” Ms Medson said. “She could have died before she was born or if she was born alive she could have died soon after.
“It was horrible, it still brings tears to my eyes today.
“But we’re strong Christian people and so we just prayed about it and said ‘OK, friends, family, pray’ and we thought well, whatever God gives us we’ll handle.”
Ms Medson developed severe eclampsia, resulting in Hannah being born on January 18, 2013, via emergency C-section. “I remember the doctors saying it was going to be a tough road, a long tough road … they said she’s got a fight ahead of her,” she said.
Hannah Medson, 2, was born premature at 27 weeks and six days.
“From shoulders to her pelvis was the length of a ball-point pen — Peter’s wedding ring would fit up her arm.
Hannah was diagnosed with chronic lung disease and needed portable oxygen to help her breathe up until April last year. She spent 100 days battling for her life in the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care and Special Care Baby units until she was allowed to go home. But even then there were frequent emergency trips back to the hospital.
“She was (still) so under responsive and her breathing was really shallow,” Ms Medson said. “She was having these episodes of going blue and under responsive and limp around feeding.
“They did tests for epilepsy, all these brain tests and they did tests for seizures — we had test after test after test.”
Doctors still don’t know exactly what is wrong with Hannah — aside from continued breathing and lung problems.
“She’s classed as having an undiagnosed genetic condition,” Ms Medson said.
Hannah Medson and her parents Jenni and Peter Medson from Aberfoyle Park. Picture: Mark Brake
“Hannah does have some developmental delay (so) we’re using sign language as well as normal speech at home.”
“We’ve still got to constantly be aware of her breathing, be aware of how energetic she is and if she’s lethargic it’s a matter of a phone call to the doctor to get her oxygen checked.
“If her oxygen is too low, it’s straight to the hospital — we just can’t risk it.”
Hannah still has her challenges — but this week reached a milestone by taking her first steps. “Given what we were told was going to be possible to where she is now is just brilliant,” Ms Medson said.
Tomorrow, the Medson family will attend the TeamKids Beyond Bank Easter Appeal event to show their support for the hospital and all the medical staff who helped their family.
“That’s our way of giving back is by being part of it and by sharing our story,” Ms Medson said
Hannah Medson proves it’s time to give thanks for all little miracles
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