Irish tot Boston bound for life changing surgery

1-year-old Elie Madden needs operation to save her life

Weighing only 3.8 pounds, Elie was diagnosed with Tracheo-Esophageal Fistula with Long Gap Esophageal Atresia, which means her esophagus does not join up with her stomach and as a result she is unable to swallow or eat.

Just one day old, she underwent her first operation to insert a gastronomy tube so she could be fed directly to her stomach. She also has a continuous suction tube in her nose to prevent her from choking.

Showing her resilience, the newborn continued to fight her illness and was later diagnosed with severe posterior tracheomalaciam, which meant her wind pipe was not developing properly. In response a tracheotomy was performed in December, allowing her to breathe without the use of her nose or mouth.

It was three months before Elie was moved from the ICU at Crumlin’s Children’s hospital to their Transitional Care Unit, finally allowing her to spend time with her twin sister.

After nine long months, Eddie and Esti made the brave decision to re-unite their two daughters at home in June. As well as her parents’ constant care, Elie requires trained supervision from carers as well.

“We are doing everything they would have been doing in the hospital,” Esti said.
Eddie continues to work full time as waiter in a popular Dublin eatery while Esti devotes 100% of her time and energy to the twins.

After assessing her case, doctors in Boston are satisfied that Elie is a good candidate for the treatment. The process itself will involve three major surgeries and could take up to six months.

Luckily both the Irish Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Madden’s private health insurer have agreed to foot the bill for the procedure, but the cost of living and travel expenses still need to be covered. Doctors have advised them that they will have to remain in Boston for at least three months.

Eddie will continue working at home in Dublin while Esti and the twin girls will travel to Boston.
The family are now fundraising for their living and transport expenses for their trip to Boston, while they wait to get a date for the procedure in Boston.

“There is a lot in front of us so we are anxious to get there,” Esti told the Irish Voice.
For more information or to donate to Operation Elie log onto http://www.eliemadden.com or visit Operation Elie's Facebook page here.

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Nster.com