A Sidcup dad who almost lost his daughter just days after she was born is celebrating her first birthday by running the London Marathon for the hospital that saved her life.
Isabelle Golding was born on April 28, 2018, but when she was taken home later that day her parents, Tom and Rebecca, noticed she was sluggish and had saliva bubbling around her mouth.
Rebecca and Isabelle Golding
The couple took their one day old daughter to the local hospital where an X-ray revealed she had trache-oesophageal fistula and oesophageal atresia. These rare birth defects affect a baby's food pipe and trachea and can be life-threatening.
Mum Rebecca, 32, said: "It was horrific and every parent’s worst nightmare.
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"We didn’t know it at the time, but Isabelle was becoming really weak because she hadn’t slept and milk and saliva was going straight to her lungs, which meant she was basically drowning.
"Doctors initially thought it could be sepsis or pneumonia, but once the X-ray confirmed the rare condition we were told she’d need major surgery by a specialist surgeon.”
Isabelle was immediately rushed to the paediatric intensive care unit at Evelina London Children’s Hospital where she was put on a ventilator and had emergency surgery the following day.
"To look at Isabelle you would never know there is something wrong but it’s been a very bumpy road.
"She’s been in and out of hospital and will need further surgery because her oesophagus still isn’t working properly.
"I do have days where I feel sad for her because so much is still unknown, but I know it could have been a lot worse and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone at Evelina London because she wouldn’t be here today without them."
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Dad Tom is now raising money for Evelina London by taking part in the London Marathon later this month, which falls on Isabelle's first birthday.
Tom, a PE teacher, said: "It goes without saying that our story could have had a very different ending if it wasn't for the unbelievable treatment and care that Isabelle continues to receive at Evelina London
"Every single member of staff at that hospital is an angel in disguise.
"Our story is just one of many that happen every single day so every penny that is donated will help other parents and children get through some of their worst days.
To help Tom and Rebecca reach their fundraising target, click here.
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