11-month-old Ava Walker and her parents Lily and David are heading home tomorrow (Tuesday) after spending 268 nights at Ronald McDonald House in Southampton whilst Ava has been battling a host of health issues.
When Lily went into labour on 28th December 2021, at just 23 weeks pregnant, the couple was blue-lighted across the Island and flown by helicopter to Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth where Ava was born via emergency C-section, weighing only 1lb 4oz.
After Ava’s birth, she spent 9 weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) before being transferred to Southampton Children’s Hospital’s NICU for additional specialist care. They were moved to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in June.
Ava’s health issues have included; problems with her airways (requiring ventilation and later a tracheostomy), a hole in her heart, and eye injections and laser surgery for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
After what parents Lily and David have described as the ‘hardest year of their lives’, Ava is now 11 months old, weighing 13lb 11oz and is heading home tomorrow.
Well done little girl! And mum and dad! Good luck for future.
Ah bless her a true little fighter .
What a wonderful Christmas present , HOME.
Enjoy , they grow up so fast .
This is lovely to be able to take their baby girl home how lovely
Bet she will be spoilt rotten this Christmas
Well done parents and well done to everyone at the hospitals who’ve cared for and helped the family