Abel’s Story
A month ago on the 21st August, little Abel celebrated his 2nd birthday. 2 years previously, at the 20 week pregnancy scan, an anomaly on his tummy was picked up, leading to more regular scans throughout the pregnancy and after his birth. In November 2022, at just 3 months old, mum Georgina, was told that he would need to have surgery to remove a duplication cyst on his bowel. Although shocking, they said they wanted to wait until he was slightly bigger and stronger and so the date would be set at a later time.
Just 5 months after this, in April 2023, it was decided that the surgery should happen in the next couple of weeks. “While we knew that he needed surgery it was a bit of a shock that this would happen so quickly” Georgina explains. They got to ask all of their questions at this point and were advised that Abel would have to stay in hospital for around 5-7 days. This was longer than Georgina had expected and they got in touch with The Archie Foundation to ask about the Family Centre.
She and Abel’s dad, Adam, stayed in one of the nineteen en-suite rooms within the hospital where they could stay close to Abel during that worrying time. “While we stay in Ellon, which is not too far away, the additional time and cost to travel back and forth every morning and night definitely felt like just another thing to worry about, so having the option to stay in the suites with the Archie Foundation really helped us.”
Georgina explains that although it doesn’t seem like much, walking 2 minutes to have a quick shower, as opposed to driving half an hour, makes a real difference. “The team were so lovely and accommodating and the suites themselves are comfortable and have everything you could need, as well as being close to the wards so you were never far away from your little one.”
Luckily, little Abel’s surgery went well and is now home having been discharged from the surgical team at the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital. Talking about the Family Centre, Georgina adds “It really was a great support to us and we were very grateful to benefit from this and get a little insight into the amazing work that the Archie Foundation do.”
