By
Craig Robertson
 LOOKING at Lewis Cramb
(right) it’s hard to imagine that nine months ago he weighed 2 lbs 11 oz, had to undergo a major operation and spent his first nine weeks in an incubator.
 He was born at 24 weeks — after doctors had to perform a Caesarean section to save the life of his mum, Angela, after she suffered severe pre-eclampsia.
The tot was given only a 50-50 chance of even surviving the birth.
Now he weighs a bruising 18 lbs and is bursting with energy and fun. He’s a happy, healthy baby and his parents are in no doubt who they have to thank for that.
“If it wasn’t for the doctors, nurses and consultants at the Sick Children’s Hospital at Yorkhill then we wouldn’t be sitting here with
him now,” said dad Jason. “We owe them a massive thank you. They worked nothing short of a miracle.”
Agonising
When Angela’s pre-eclampsia was diagnosed in the first few days of this year, she and Jason faced an agonising dilemma. Every extra minute her unborn baby spent in
the womb increased his chances of survival — but increased the threat to Angela’s life.
In the end, doctors at the Queen Mother’s said there was no choice. They had to operate or Angela would die. The section was successful but the drama had only just begun. Angela was unconscious in intensive care while Lewis was
on a ventilator and needed a tricky operation to close an abnormal blood vessel in his heart. Thanks to the skill of the staff at the Western Infirmary and Yorkhill, both came through in one piece.
Now Lewis is thriving. Doctors had told Angela and Jason it would probably take him two years to catch up with his development but his last check-up showed he’s done so already.
“The physios were astounded,” said a proud Angela. “His hand-eye coordination and balance were as they should be at nine months. He’s way ahead of what was expected.
“He’s on solids and loving his dinner — particularly chicken hotpot and cauliflower cheese.
If you’re eating anything then he wants it. He eats like a monster,” she laughed.
Incredible help
Angela and Jason wanted to give something back for the incredible help they received from Yorkhill and after featuring in our campaign in May, they knew just what was needed. Our wish list for Scotland’s four children’s hospitals includes a new hi-tech scanner for Yorkhill that would have made a huge difference in treating a premature baby like Lewis.
“We were looking for some way to raise money,” explained Jason. “Someone mentioned the Great Scottish Run in Glasgow in September and we decided to go for it. Twelve friends and family took part and all of us finished — even if the times were a bit far apart. Fastest was 39 minutes while the slowest was over an hour.”
Their efforts pounding the streets certainly paid off, they raised
just under £4000 — a fantastic boost to our campaign.
“We were in Yorkhill for three months so we really appreciate the work they do,” said Angela. “They need and deserve this and we will continue to raise money for them in years to come.”
 IF YOU have a
special reason for contributing to or raising funds for our appeal
then we’d like to hear from you.
It could be that
you’d like to thank caring staff for the treatment they’ve
provided in your hour of need. Or perhaps a relative spent time in
one of Scotland’s children’s hospitals and the experience has
left a lasting impression on your family’s life.
Whatever the reason,
please let us know.
We’d be delighted
to share your experiences with our readers. And, who knows,
it may inspire others to follow in your fund-raising footsteps.
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