A Levin mother says she is struggling to sleep at home while her baby remains in hospital recovering from brain tumour surgery, with Christmas approaching under a cloud of uncertainty.
According to a report by Erin Johnson of Stuff, Emma McComb has returned to Levin to care for her two other children while her youngest, baby Declan, remains at Starship Hospital in Auckland following surgery last Monday.
McComb said being back home without her baby has been emotionally overwhelming.
“I’ve been crying every night, and I can’t sleep,” Stuff has quoted.
Unable to rest in her bedroom while Declan’s cot sits empty, McComb has been sleeping on the couch. Declan’s father, Jay Fish, has stayed in Auckland to be by their baby’s side.
McComb said the situation is particularly difficult because her eldest son, nine-year-old Tyler, has additional needs. Tyler suffered a stroke when he was just one day old, which affected his development.
“I’m torn between two kids that both need me,” she said, as quoted by Stuff.
Since doctors discovered a tumour in Declan’s brain in October, the family’s life has revolved around constant travel between Palmerston North, Wellington and Auckland for scans, tests and treatment. Declan underwent a round of chemotherapy in November, and the strain has left little room for normal life.
“I’m looking at the Christmas tree, and I haven’t started shopping,” McComb said, as quoted by Stuff.
She said shopping has been the “last thing” on her mind.
On December 9, an MRI scan in Wellington showed the tumour had grown. Within days, the family returned to Auckland, where Declan underwent surgery at Starship Hospital to remove the tumour. McComb said her baby is now recovering well. Despite a large scar, Declan is cheerful and energetic.
“Now in Starship recovering, Declan has a massive scar, but is ‘laughing away, chatting away,” she said, Stuff has quoted.
McComb praised the hospital staff for their care and compassion.
“The nurses there treat him like he’s their own. He’s a very special boy, and he’s touched so many hearts. It makes me proud, he’s touched everyone.”
Doctors have diagnosed Declan’s tumour as a choroid plexus papilloma. McComb said her son does not appear unwell despite everything he has been through.
“He doesn’t act sick,...you wouldn't think anything was wrong.”
She hopes Declan will be allowed to return home for a short time over Christmas before beginning another round of chemotherapy in January.
“Just to have a bit of a break from the hospital and a bit of normality,” she said, Stuff has reported.
With the festive season drawing closer, McComb said material things no longer matter.
“Presents mean nothing,” she said.
“I would love to just go out and just buy presents, but what’s more important than having healthy kids? Some people take it for granted.
“As much as I want to swap places with him, I can’t, as quoted by Stuff.
“All I want is for my baby to be healthy and home, and for none of this to be happening.
“You’ve got to keep going, I owe it to my baby, I owe it to my other kids.”
A friend has set up a Givealittle page to help the family cover ongoing travel and accommodation costs as Declan continues his treatment, Stuff has reported.
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