Brave double lung transplant boy Arron O'Leary returns home to Cork

His new Xbox and Brennan’s bread topped the priority list of double-lung transplant patient Arron O’Leary on his first day home following five weeks of treatment in England.

As dad Paul and mum Caroline, spent a couple of hours sorting through two months of medication for their miracle 11-year-old at home in Ballinhassig Co, Cork, Arron made up for lost time, familiarising himself with the Xbox he’d been deprived of during his stay at Freeman’s Hospital in Newcastle.

“He’s a different child altogether. People who saw him since we came home but who hadn’t seen him over the last five weeks couldn’t believe the difference. Even we could see him transforming under our eyes since the operation took place,” Paul said.

Arron, who has cystic fibrosis, was extremely unwell prior to the transplant which was carried out on December 7. At one point his lung function was as low as 29% — now it’s heading above 80%.

He’s no longer on oxygen. Prior to the operation, he had been on home IVs (intravenous antibiotics) every couple of weeks, now, hopefully, a thing of the past.

He’s regained his appetite and his breathing has improved immeasurably.

On Tuesday night, friends and supporters turned out to welcome him home when he flew into Cork Airport.

“The banners were out, there were photographers, there was a crowd from the Cork City Children’s Hospital Charity, the airport police gave us a blue-light escort to the roundabout at the edge of the airport and we were taken home to Ballinhassig in a garda minivan. It was a great welcome home for us all,” Paul said.

He himself was enjoying “looking out at green fields rather than concrete” for the first time in five weeks, while himself and Caroline relaxed in front of a real fire and enjoyed a glass of wine.

The next few weeks will be all about making sure Arron is kept infection free and there will be regular visits for a while back to Freeman’s in Newcastle, but nothing is a bother when it comes to the health of the O’Leary’s son.

“It’s a pleasure to be back to our routine, and to see Arron so well, he’s 110%. It was very hectic in the UK before we left, going through all the medications and chatting to so many consultants, so we are really happy to be home,” Paul said.