Iarla's Story
When Iarla Thompson was born in February 2013, he was critically ill. He was immediately transferred to Holles Street Hospital where he was diagnosed with congenital heart defects. Neither his older brother or sister had suffered any such problems, so it came as a huge shock to his Dad and I. Iarla was then transferred to the Paediatric ICU in Childrens Health Ireland at Crumlin where he was placed under the care of Professor Mark Redmond, Cardiothoracic Surgeon.
At just over two weeks old, we had to entrust our little boy to Professor Redmond and his team to have life saving open-heart surgery. It was without doubt, the most emotionally charged day of our lives and one that we will never forget. Thankfully, the surgery was hugely successful and we were all so well cared for, not just Iarla. No matter what the hour of the day or night, there is always a support network to comfort you in the most challenging of times. That support and kindness of all the staff who work in Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin is beyond words. They are all very special people and we will remain eternally grateful to them. Happily, Iarla returned home six weeks after his surgery and continued to thrive.
By the time Iarla was four months old, we noticed some changes in his skull. Thinking it may have been associated with his lying position, we brought him to the local paediatrician who suggested we get him checked in Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street. Once there, we were given an immediate diagnosis of Craniosynostosis, a condition that without intervention impacts brain and skull growth. It was hard to believe that we were on another serious medical journey with our little boy within such a short space of time.
Just a few weeks shy of his first birthday, we once again entrusted the life of our little boy in the hands of a medical team. This time, Dr Dylan Murray and his wonderful colleagues carried out this life changing surgery. Early intervention is vital to ensuring there are no developmental delays or intellectual problems.
We were equally indebted to the fantastic staff in Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street. Their kindness and care at such a difficult time is the most important thing in the world. It was very hard for us as a family when Iarla was so sick on both occasions, to be away from home for such long periods of time. His older siblings Brian and Aoibhin, had to be entrusted to the care of their grandparents, but the support we received from everyone we encountered will never be forgotten.
Iarla is now a happy, robust and fun-loving 10 year old boy with a ‘get on with it attitude’. He loves his sports and gets involved in everything he can. We continue to visit his cardiac team and his neurosurgical team and these appointments have gone to a yearly basis since Iarla has gotten older. We will be forever grateful to every surgeon, consultant, nurse, doctor, social worker, chaplain, carer and all other staff in Children’s Health Ireland at both Crumlin and Temple Street for Iarla’s life.
