When Brenda Dorman and Frances Case were told during a 12-week check that their baby’s chance of surviving was low due to chromosomal abnormalities, they were asked if they wanted to terminate the pregnancy.
But after deciding to give her son the best chance, the Queensland mother underwent several tests and decided to continue the pregnancy even though there were “chances” against her.
Brenda explained, “During the 12-week examination of Frank’s pathology, we learned that a major esophagus had been detected. An esophagus is a defect in the abdominal wall where some of his organs are located externally. In Frank’s case, we know that he has a liver and intestine.”
Exomphalos is often associated with chromosomal abnormalities such as Edwards, Down, and Patau syndromes. In our case, the doctors were almost certain that Frank had Edwards syndrome and told us that Edwards’ children did not live long from birth, so they often offered them the option of termination.”
After undergoing multiple procedures in which fluid was removed from Frank through Brenda’s stomach, tests showed negative results for Edwards, Down syndrome and Patau syndrome, but there were more complications on the horizon.
He said: “Our 20-week examination revealed congenital heart disease and a heart defect, ventricular septal defect, also known as a hole in the heart.
“Fortunately, we continued the pregnancy, despite the odds that had piled up against us, the fear was unbelievable. We were praying day and night and I think in every city that knew our condition, they prayed for Frank.”
Against all odds, Frank was born on May 17, 2021 at the Royal Belfast Maternity Hospital, weighing 7 pounds 11 ounces.
She spent 27 days in the highly addictive neonatal wards, with Brenda describing the care she received as ‘special’. He was then taken to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.
The mother-of-two admitted that she and partner Frances, 38, repeatedly felt helpless in the first months of seeing their son fight, as well as guilt for being separated from their oldest son, 14-year-old Conan.
Frankie spent most of her time in the Barbour ward and became our home for three months, with several visits to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).
“The Barbour ward is very busy with a relationship of 3-4 kids and a nurse. You can literally see everything there, from fractures to surgeries to accidents. The team of surgeons, nurses and doctors is fantastic, they are real. Life superheroes in our eyes.
“Biko is a nurse for a child and the care is still outstanding. I have to be honest on the ward if I’m going to be honest when you see kids fighting for their lives. Whenever Frank gets into the hospital, it’s so horrible that every single time he’s had his tubes inserted.
“The worst feeling in the world is when you see your child lying there and you can’t help but sit and wait. Your complete confidence in the team.”
Brenda continued, “It was a great way to travel back and forth to Dungano every day and it was difficult for everyone, especially our second child, Conan. He spent the whole summer with us and I always felt a sense of guilt for my mother for trying and wanting. We have to be in two places at the same time. But we’ve moved on.”
For nearly four months, Frank was allowed to go home with his family on September 15, 2021, a day Brenda said they would “never forget.”
Today Frank “thriving” at the age of 10 months and overcoming obstacles every day.
“She’s come a long way, she’s thriving,” Brenda said.
“We slowly get solid food, which is going well, because Frankie left the hospital with severe mouth disgust and still has GERD.
“Frankie also started drinking from the cup and a few weeks ago he became dependent only on oxygen at night.
“A big step forward and looking back is something we thought we could never get over.”
“Frank, in general, is such a joy. He behaves very well and is a happy kid, despite all his deformities and medical needs and everything he’s been through. They are real people and love to talk to people. He is in his grandfather’s stage.”
“You brought so much joy into our lives,” Brenda added.
The Dungannon family has described the care and support they received during Frank’s hospital stay as an “exception,” and now wants to give back and has embarked on a fundraising mission for two charities she cares for.
“We always said while at the hospital that we would do something to raise money for the hospital, especially for Barbour Ward. It’s been our home for months, nurses have become our family and parents of sick children are our friends. It’s always good. Express gratitude and return some things.”
“We are creating the Helping Hand Foundation, a charity that includes a children’s hospital and there are endless opportunities for what they can do with their funding. Maybe new furniture, as far as I know, they talked about doing it during our stay, something new.” Electronics too, especially TVs New iPads/tablets/portable DVD players for kids or perhaps during their stay. It can be a long day for a child on the hospital ward.”
Brenda continued, “We also raise money for the Heartbeat Trust for Children, a charity that has been wonderful to us since Frank’s birth. They helped us emotionally and financially while we were in the hospital.”
“The team was always on the other side of the phone and called us every week to check on us, which is great because people can forget their parents and how to deal with them.
“The financial assistance has been of great help to us as we have been traveling every day from the hospital to our home in Dungang.
“We have suffered a lot without their help, so we will always support them as much as we can.”
The family will host a huge fundraising day, Saturday, July 2, where a group of up to 60 people will still climb for Slav Donard Frank, followed by a nightclub in Clone Hall, Coalesland that night.
Brenda also called on all other families facing a similar situation where they find themselves turning to her for help and support.
If anyone has or is living with similar complications, who may have a baby in the NICU or hospital, please contact us if you wish.
“It’s an emotional drag and a journey to hell mentally and physically, so it’s good to have someone who understands exactly what you’re going through.
“We also want to thank everyone who supported us in this 12 week screening. We are forever grateful for all the prayers, texts and prayers.
“We are so happy to have Frank with us today and he is a living miracle. Miracles happen when you have faith.”
If you’d like to support “Frankie’s Fight,” you can donate via the Just Giving page or follow the Instagram page here.
Source: Belfastlive
Tim-32Brown is a distinguished writer for TodayTimesLive, known for his exceptional talent in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Tim crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for insightful journalism and a commitment to delivering high-quality articles.
