On 5th April 2013 we were told our baby needed to be born quickly as the fluid around the baby had reduced. We knew that the baby had a mild kidney problem, but had been reassured it was easily fixed. So on 7th April William Andrew Joshua was born weighing 6lb 3oz at 36 weeks & 6 days. It was quickly apparent William wasn't well and after a brief cuddle with mummy he was whisked away. That day he had 3 chest drains inserted, was sedated and intubated and put onto a ventilator. The next day he was moved to the Glenfield
hospital in Leicester for life saving ECMO treatment which is a heart & lung bypass circuit to allow his lungs to heal. 8 days later he managed to be taken off of the ECMO. Still in Leicester he started more therapies for his breathing. Then on 4th May 2013 he was moved to Great Ormond Street Hospital. He was discharged on 4th February 2014. In the time since his birth William had around 10 operations including bowel removal, central lines being fitted, dialysis lines being inserted & some of them being removed due to infection. William had dialysis 4 times a week on Eagle ward at GOSH. He was fed by a line in his leg, and was developmentally 6 months behind. In April 2014, I noticed that William couldn't see and when this was confirmed by the ophthalmology consultant it triggered the need to find the cause. William had an MRI of his brain which revealed another huge blow. His brain was not developing and the medical team feared that William would not thrive. All things considered he was a true fighter. He
continued to battle but with his oxygen dependency increasing and his needs becoming ever greater we unexpectedly lost William on the 4th June 2014. He had acquired a Strep. Pneumonia and he had no energy left to fight it off. The staff at GOSH had done everything in their power to support William and us all as a family. Our time together should have been shorter but it was made possible to do things like bring William home, celebrate his first birthday and have him baptised in our own church. Our hearts are broken, however William has a 6 year old brother Thomas who is the most loving big brother ever and who deserves to see that his baby brothers life has left an amazing legacy. Please support our fundraising efforts to support GOSH in its delivery of world class renal care and to keep William's memory alive.
