Tamzyn's parents thanks to hospital after hip nightmare
by MARY MAGEE
At the cheque presentation were Stuart Brown daddy of Tamzyn, support worker Mandy Bothwell, Sr Maureen Lylehall, Laura Musgrave mother of Tamzyn, Sr Margaret Timomey and Senior Nurse Pauline Hegarty
THE PARENTS of a baby who had to undergo two attempts to cure her dislocated hip have presented a cheque for £1220 to Musgrave Park Hospital where she had to undergo an operation.
Laura Musgrave from Old Warren and her partner Stuart Brown held a charity night at Derriaghy Cricket Club on behalf of 21-month-old Tamzyn. The night was organised with the help of a relative, Hillary Hooks.
Tamzyn, who has just recently started to walk, was born with a clicky hip on February 13, 2009 at Lagan Valley Hospital.
It was her midwife who spotted there was a problem with her hip but Laura was told not to worry as it may rectify itself.
However she had to take Tamzyn to Musgrave Park Hospital where the baby had tests and x-rays. During a visit in July it was revealed she was suffering from a dislocated hip.
"We were shocked because Tamzyn was such a very happy child and not in any way distress," said Laura. "We just thought she was normal. I knew she had a clicky hip but was shocked to be told she had a dislocation."
Their consultant said that because the hip was dislocated they wanted to operate quickly. The hope was to simply pop the hip back into place and within a few hours she would be fine.
Laura said: "We had no time to panic. We were told on Friday the operation would be on Monday. We thought it usually took a few months so it was a very scary time for us."
Initially it seemed the operation had gone well.
However the consultant broke the devastating news the operation was not a success. The hip was shallow and out of place again. They were told that they would have to wait until Tamzyn was at least 14 months old before she could undergo major surgery.
Eventually in May of this year, just as Tamzyn was walking, she underwent another operation at Musgrave.
Mum Laura said: "She was only getting on her feet at this stage. Her right leg was a little shorter than her left and she was starting to stand and walked with a slight limp but nothing that you would have noticed."
This time the operation was a success. Tamzyn had to stay at Musgrave for a week and was then in plaster for several weeks before coming out of it at the end of August. She was then put on a ring splint for eight weeks,
"The whole time was a total nightmare for us," said Laura. "She is the type of child who would not sit still. She was only getting to be on her feet when she had this operation so it was only last Tuesday that she took her first steps. She still uses her walker but we were able to buy her first walking shoes.
"We had to get her a special vest with a cast, buy a new buggy and hire a car seat. We even had to buy new clothes - all she could wear were skirts. She was not even allowed a bath and we had to wash her from top to tail with wipes.
"Since the whole ordeal she has been fine. She is now running after her baby cousin."
The money is to be divided into toy vouchers and hook vouchers at Musgrave.
"We just wanted to do something as a thank you for all their help," said Laura. "I lived in the hospital both times for a week and the nursing staff would not have been kinder."
Ulster Star
12/11/2010
