BiographyHarry was born a healthy, happy little boy in October 2013 at a good birth weight of 8lbs 9oz. His life started by following the regular patterns of newborn chaos, with many night wakings and busy days. The health visitor arrived for the heel prick test a week later, and we thought no more about it. Little did we know that it was going to be a day that changed our lives forever.
On Bonfire Night 2013, I was busy getting on with my day with a newborn and two year old. I had noticed that I had six missed calls from an unknown number on my mobile but I hadn't had time to pick up. They left no message. That night whilst putting my toddler girl to bed there was a knock at the door. I heard my husband answer and the words 'heel prick test' and 'cystic fibrosis' came from the person at the door. I'll never forget that moment.
We were sent to Kings the next day and Harry had a sweat test to measure the amount of salt in his sweat, following by a blood test. The results were confirmed later that day. Harry had cystic fibrosis.
We quickly learnt his new daily treatment regime of antibiotics, chest physio therapy and various ventalins. We then had to educate our family and friends that basic coughs and colds for others could cause Harry bigger problems. A common cold could lead to a two week hospital stay on IV antibiotics for a chest infection.
It's been a steep learning curve for us. It's changed us. It has brought us down to the lowest points. It has nearly broken us. But, the overriding factor in all of this is, Harry. How much joy he has brought to our whole family. How he has smiled in the face of adversity and shown a resilience that many adults do not possess.
Harry is a very special little boy, and although his birth has brought us challenges as a family, we wouldn't change a thing if it meant not having him walk this life with us.
This is now our journey. A journey we will walk, hand-in-hand, together.
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