13 September 2019
Baby George’s journey into the world
Baby George was barely one hour old when his doctors and nurses realised there was a life-threatening issue with his oesophagus (throat). George and his mother were urgently transported to Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton that same day.
Soon after their arrival George was diagnosed with a rare birth defect, tracheoesophageal fistula, where there is unnatural connection between the lower part of the oesophagus and the windpipe. This meant his oesophagus was unable to pass food and drink into his stomach. This connection of the oesophagus and the windpipe meant that air passes into the stomach, and stomach acid passes into the lungs.
If it is not treated immediately, it is likely to be fatal.
George underwent major surgery at just 24 hours old and had to be kept sedated for six days while his oesophagus slowly recovered from the trauma. Ben and Emma spent the next two weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit by their son’s side as George continued to battle for his life, fighting his way through a collapsed lung on his road to recovery.
George is now at home, and Ben and Emma are raising money for Southampton Hospital Charity, specifically the neonatal unit, to show their gratitude to all the doctors, nurses and surgeons who helped George.
Ben is taking part in a 10k Tough Mudder race in South London this Saturday, and if this is not hard enough, he is then flying to Paris to complete the Disneyland half marathon (13.1 miles) on Sunday!
Last updated: 13/09/2019
