Parents hope Sergio may be home for birthday

Toddler Sergio O’Connor has just returned to Ireland after undergoing major surgery to connect his digestive system in the US.

Sergio, who will be two years old next month, has spent all his life in hospital and his parents are hoping he will be home for his birthday.

After spending nine months being treated at the Children’s Hospital in Boston, he is now being assessed at Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Dublin.

His father, Donal, said he had lost count of the surgical procedures carried out on his son, but is delighted that he is no longer dependent on a trachea — a device that was helping him to breathe.

“Sergio is in fantastic form. He has found his voice and is doing great. The surgery has been very successful and he has started to take feeds orally,” he said.

Sergio, from Donnycarney, Dublin, has spent all his life in hospital because of a rare congenital problem with his digestive tract that prevented him from eating, drinking and swallowing.

The operation involved putting him in an induced coma for six weeks while surgeons used a procedure to stimulate the growth of his oesophagus.

But it has been an emotional rollercoaster for Donal and his wife, Rosa, who are now looking forward to having Sergio at home on Mar 5 to celebrate his birthday with his twin brother, Tadhg.

“Because Sergio could only be let home for a few hours for his first birthday, we were not able to invite many children. We’re planning a big party for the boys — we have a lot more than a birthday to celebrate this year,” said Donal.

Donal, a job skills trainer at the Central Remedial Clinic in Dublin, took unpaid leave to be at his son’s side during his treatment in the US.

While the family do not know when Sergio will be allowed home, Donal thinks he is ready and is just waiting for the final word from the boy’s medical team.

Sergio will need further surgery on his stomach to correct a reflux problem and will also have to have his oesophagus dilated every six weeks to ensure it remains open.

While the HSE arranged for the boy to be operated on in the US because the treatment was not available in Ireland, the family has had to contribute to some of the cost.

Cancer sufferer, Cathy Durkin, who died last July arranged for some of the money raised to pay for her treatment to go to Sergio’s parents.

Because Donal and his wider family are well known traditional Irish musicians, other traditional musicians across the country have been supporting the Help Sergio Appeal with concerts and fundraising events.

- www.helpsergio.com