THE father of Northside toddler who was flown to
America on the Government jet last December for a life-saving procedure says
she’s not out of the woods just yet.
Santry twin Elie Madden (1) spent 38 days in an
induced coma over Christmas after a team of US doctors succeeded in
“growing
?
her oesophagus.
Elie was diagnosed with a rare digestive disorder at
birth known as severe posterior tracheomalacia and long-gap oesphageal atresia,
which resulted in a five-centimetre gap between her oesophagus and stomach
preventing her from eating or drinking without medical equipment.
Her father Eddie, who flew home at the weekend having
spent a month by her hospital bedside in Boston, told Northside People that
while the operation to stimulate lengthening in her oesophagus was a success,
other complications in relation to her condition have been uncovered.
“Our next big hurdle is dealing with the problems with
her airways,
? he explained.
“She’ll need to have more surgeries and we’re really
hoping that the doctors and experts in America will do all the repair work
necessary so that we can bring Elie home with everything done so that she can
just get better.
“But for the meantime she’s over the most critical
stage.
?
While Elie is now out of the induced coma she is still
heavily sedated and unable to engage with her family.
“It’s now a balancing act to try to take her off the
medication gradually,
? Eddie explained.
“They had taken her off the drugs too quickly which
caused her whole body to go into shock, which was fairly serious.
“She ran a fever for five days before she eventually
stabilised.
?
Late last year, the Air Corps flew Eddie, his wife
Esti, her mother Anita Elie and her twin sister Emie, who is completely
healthy, to Boston on the Government jet to avail of the American medical
expertise.
It was the first time that the State Gulfstream IV had
been used for a transatlantic air ambulance mission of this type.
The family say they’re blessed to be in the care of
the American team of surgeons and experts.
“They are truly amazing,
? Eddie praised.
“There’s isn’t a better place in the world for her to
be.
“We have a real personal relationship with them that’s
completely different to what you have in Ireland.
“They listen to you and fully take on board that you
are an advocate for your child.
?
The Health Service Executive (HSE) and the VHI are
currently covering the cost of Elie’s treatment, which is as much as
?¬250,000
per month and will do so until March.
However, it now looks likely that Elie will need to
remain in Boston for more treatment and rehabilitation even after March.
Living costs for the family are incredibly high as
accommodation alone is
?¬6,000 per month.
“We’ve been stuck in a box for the last two years and
we’ve spent two Christmases in ICU with her,
? Eddie explained.
“It’s been hard on relations and we simply don’t have
a normal family life. Unfortunately, we’re a little de-sensitised to the
situation at this stage. We are just taking things day-to-day and hoping for
the best.
?
The Maddens are still appealing for financial
assistance for the public and anyone who wishes to donate can do so on a
dedicated website at eliemadden.com.
All those who wish to follow Elie’s progress can also
do so on the website and on the Operation Elie Facebook page.