Jamie Murphy (11 ) from Graiguenamanagh who underwent life saving surgery less than two weeks ago, has returned home after her lengthy ordeal safe and well.
The youngster bravely endured an 8-hour life-saving operation to straighten her spine in Great Ormond St hospital in London Saturday week ago and she has come through with flying colours. So much so - she has been allowed to return home to Graiguenamanagh earlier than expected.
Jamie’s Granny, Mary told the Kilkenny Advertiser yesterday that Jamie was extremely happy to be back home.
“She is just thrilled to be home, it has been such an emotional time for us all. We can hardly believe that she has been through it all and she is out the other side. There is a long road from here as she is very sore and she has be carried differently than before. She really wants to go back to school as soon as possible but I don’t think that will be for a little while anyway. She has just had major surgery. However, she is in brilliant form now and just so happy to be home with her sisters and brothers.”
Jamie underwent the surgery that she desperately needed in London as Crumlin Children’s Hospital would not deem the surgery as ‘urgent’ although the consultant doctors in Great Ormond Street said that the little girl may not have survived much longer if she had not had the surgery when she did.
Jamie suffers from spina bifida and scoliosis and the first attempt to have the operation failed as her lung capacity was not sufficient to endure the operation and doctors were worried she would not survive the invasive surgery. However it was vital that she received it as her vital organs including her heart and lungs were being crushed by her spine.
Now since her spine has been straightened Jamie has gained five inches in height and is significantly straighter than she was. Her breathing has improved as her organs are not under pressure from her spine. However, she will always need to use breathing apparatus at night as her lungs have been irreparably damaged while waiting for the operation.
However, Jamie and her parents Emer and Peter are delighted for now to be home so their life can somewhat return to normal.
They are ever grateful to the secret benefactor who is covering all of Jamie’s medical costs for the life-saving treatment. Everyone is.
