“My husband and I were at a celebratory dinner. When we got back I started bleeding profusely. He immediately took me to the hospital, where Tobík was born shortly after. He was 1350 g and 41 cm,” Ms. Zdislava recalls. She had massive bleeding from the placenta, which required an immediate caesarean section. Their son, whom they were looking forward to together with the four-year-old Terezka and the one-year-old Eliášek, was born very prematurely.
Pulmonary ventilation and severe infection
“Although immediately after birth Tobiášek was breathing on his own and his heart was working, his breathing gradually worsened due to the immaturity of his lungs. After being transferred to the University Hospital in Pilsen, he was connected to artificial lung ventilation with the administration of oxygen and medicine to support the development of the lungs. Despite respiratory support, he eventually developed severe lung involvement that required pulmonary ventilation for 6 weeks. During that time, his condition was further complicated by severe infectious inflammation.” describes his mother.
The following months were extremely difficult for Tobík and his family. He underwent multiple surgeries, including head surgery and the implantation of a VP shunt (a tube that drains excess cerebrospinal fluid that would increase pressure on the brain into the abdomen), necessary to address his complex medical condition. Despite all this medical care, Tobík brought cerebral palsy, secondary epilepsy and many other more or less serious health complications into his life.
It is easier to help than to receive help…
Despite the fact that Tobík still faces various challenges, such as vision and motor problems, his family tries to remain positive. “Early care brought new possibilities to Tobík’s life. His motor development progressed even after he started wearing glasses. He started crawling and it helped him a lot mentally. We go with him to physiotherapy and occupational therapy every Wednesday, then to hippotherapy on Thursdays, and we try to treat him to neurorehabilitation as well. We also get him a number of gadgets and items that develop him,” adds Mrs. Zdislava, saying that this was the reason why she and her husband decided to ask for help from a donor from the Good Angel foundation, which helps families with children who have suffered serious illnesses with regular financial contributions.
“I have spent most of my life working with people, helping them find their calling, achieve inner healing and improve family relationships. I never thought that I would find myself in a situation where I myself would need help for my family, even financially. I have found that it is much easier for me to help than to receive help from others.
Therefore, I sincerely want to thank the Good Angels for their support, encouragement and for confirming us in the belief that we are not alone in difficult times,” adds Mr. Marek to his wife, adding that the Good Angels’ contributions are mainly used to pay for therapies and purchase various tool for Tobík.
The Good Angel helps
Serious illness, that’s a lot of worry and extra expenses. If you would like to help families in which a child, mother or father is struggling with a serious illness, become Good Angels. Just register at www.dobryandel.cz, choose any contribution amount and start contributing. The foundation will hand over your contributions down to the last penny, and thanks to your Angel account, you can see every month which specific family you have helped.
How does a resuscitation bed that helps premature babies work? General University Hospital in Prague
“My husband and I were at a celebratory dinner. When we got back I started bleeding profusely. He immediately took me to the hospital, where Tobík was born shortly after. He was 1350 g and 41 cm,” recalls Mrs. Zdislava.
Author: Good Angel