Four-month-old awaiting surgery
Suffering from chronic sleep apnea, the baby survives on a ventilator because her body shuts down when it rests at night.
Her mum Rosie, 21, from Clonmel has been at Abie’s side every day since she was born.
The Tipperary family made a frantic plea last week for a miracle operation.
The baby’s grandmother Irene Long said yesterday Abie was transferred from Waterford Regional Hospital to Dublin.
“The ambulance was given a garda escort to Temple Street Children’s Hospital,” she said.
“Now that she has been given a bed in Temple Street, we’re praying the operation will be done later this week.”
Mrs Long said: “Rosie is delighted that progress is being made on the offer of an operation.
“Mother and child are so exhausted at this stage and Rosie just wants to spend the day settling into the hospital with Abie.”
According to the grandmother, the family was promised the baby would be given a tracheotomy operation eight weeks ago.
However, Abie remained in the intensive care unit at Waterford, awaiting a bed in Dublin, as the regional hospital did not have the expertise to perform the operation.
“We were forced to seek the support of the media last week and we are thrilled at the reaction,” said Mrs Long.
“Abie is fighting for her life but she’s proving to be a great battler,” she added.
Mum Rosie added: “We felt so helpless. Abie’s system closes down when she sleeps. It’s like she dies at night and comes back to us in the morning.”
