Help support beautiful Phoebe

7 months ago Phoebe came into the world at 36 weeks, She was born unable to swallow due to having a rare condition called tracheoesophageal fistula an duodenal atresia (pancreas growing around bowel) and to add to that she was also diagnosed with congenital heart disease, a condition called tetralogy of fallot (4 heart defects).

It would be the beginning of many surgeries and more to come. Phoebe has struggled with complications during surgeries including a cardiac arrest due to a blocked shunt, multiple hospital infections, a collapsed lung, pneumonia, tracheomalacia (floppy airway) a stroke, a subdural hemorrhage, blood clots, perforated bowel, septic shock and months in ICU. She has proved time and time again what an amazing little fighter she is.

Fortunately she has an incredible team including her Mum “Emily” who has been there every step of the way and the wonderful staff at the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Phoebe is fed through a tube and has never been able to eat orally

She requires lots of medical care at home and appointments in Melbourne as she gets bigger /stronger for her “big” heart surgery in January 2024,

What alot to deal with!!!

How can we help?

Imagine living in a constant state of fear. Worrying that you are so far from the hospital, no one knowing her complex history like the RCH, and not being able to get there in time if there were another life threatening emergency. This is a constant fear for Emily. Keeping Phoebe away from germs and added pressures on her already compromised immune system. This is a reality for her that none of us could ever understand. But we can help.

We know Emily has battled hard, advocating for Phoebe and her future. Simply loving her.

She has taken on this responsibility alone. Asking for help, making herself vulnerable is difficult. None of us want to do that , but the very nature of being a Mum is wanting the best for our children.

Let's support Emily's vulnerability and share some of this difficulty for her.

In an ideal world Emily and Phoebe would be living close by the hospital in Melbourne until her heart repair in January.

The opportunity to stay at Ronald McDonald House is gone as the criteria only allows her to stay around appointments or when the actual surgeries are taking place.

There is a small furnished short term apartment available close by to the Royal Childrens Hospital. Rent is $2000 a month but the peace of mind is priceless for the health and safety of Phoebe. We could help take this load by supporting her through this GoFundMe page, staying close to the hospital during this time will keep Phoebe safe and help the take the stress off Emily especially as she won't be able to return to work for a while yet.

Let’s help give Phoebe the very best chance. To grow and play, love and learn, and thrive. Things in life we all take for granted and yet Phoebe has fought for every day. We can not imagine how tough it's been to see the baby you wanted for so long fight so hard for their life every day.

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.” Dr Seuss

Let’s care !!