Fletcher King is turning six on Good Friday, but he wasn’t always the energetic, healthy kid he is now.
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When he was a baby, he ran into medical issues.
He was born on March 29, 2018, at GV Health, and the first four days of his life were not what any parent plans for.
“He was a yellow colour, and we knew that something wasn’t right,” father Troy King said.
Fletcher was treated in the GV Health special care unit before being airlifted to the Royal Children’s Hospital on April 2, 2018.
Fletcher then underwent emergency surgery at the hospital for 360-degree bowel malrotation and removal of his appendix.
Following his surgery, complications meant he needed a blood transfusion and blood product donation.
For 10 days, he was in the Royal Children’s Hospital newborn intensive care unit, recovering from surgery.
The King family participated in the Cocoon program, which allowed them to be involved in caring for Fletcher while he was in intensive care to improve bonding.
Fletcher’s mum, Jaimi King, said the hospital provided the family with support and thorough care for Fletcher.
After 15 days of life, Fletcher was released from the hospital, but he wasn’t in the clear yet.
During a check-up five days after the surgery, Fletcher received a referral to get blood tests at the Royal Children’s Hospital.
Fletcher and his family returned to Shepparton only to be called the next day for emergency scans and treatment at GV Health and Shepparton Private due to severe jaundice.
They returned to Melbourne to begin investigation and treatment of possible biliary atresia (a liver disease) and blocked liver ducts.
“Spent a further 13 days at RCH undergoing various tests and treatments in the Cockatoo Ward and tested for 117 conditions, diseases and viruses with no conclusion,” Jaimi said.
The family then made their way home to wait for the results.
“Stools and digestion changed and Fletcher began passing bowel movements with no colour,” Jaimi said.
Fletcher was taken to the emergency department at the Royal Children’s Hospital and stayed in the Cockatoo Ward for another 12 days.
Fletcher had a liver biopsy on May 18, 2018, and remained in hospital for a further three days.
He still had no diagnosis, so he began treatment with a naturally occurring enzyme used in the treatment of cystic fibrosis.
The family maintained weekly, then fortnightly, appointments to monitor liver and blood results at the hospital.
“This happened from May to September 2018,” Jaimi said.
He was eventually diagnosed with neonatal cholestasis (impaired bile flow) and idiopathic neonatal hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) with no known cause or time frame for recovery.
“The symptoms improved; however, due to long stints in hospital and abdominal issues Fletcher developed a misshaped skull,” Jaimi said.
To help with his skull shape, he underwent additional treatments at the Royal Children’s Hospital.
He had treatment there to improve the shape of his skull.
“After turning two years old, his blood results and liver function improved, and it appears his liver now operates at an acceptable level of health,” Jaimi said.
“He does, however, suffer from an egg allergy and is treated by RCH for anaphylaxis.”
The Royal Children’s Hospital reviews his anaphylaxis annually, where he undergoes allergy testing and food challenges with the hope that he may grow out of his egg allergy.
During the pandemic, the hospital adapted the delivery of Fletcher’s care to include telehealth and video calls so he could still access first-class treatment when COVID-19 restrictions were in place.
“Our family is grateful for the services of PIPER, RCH, NICU and Cockatoo wards and Ronald McDonald House for their care and support of Fletcher during his ongoing treatment,” Jaimi said.
Fletcher is now a happy, healthy, fit and active boy.
“He started school this year at St Luke’s Catholic Primary School Shepparton and due to the care he received from the Royal Children’s Hospital at birth, is able to enjoy his life to the fullest, play basketball for his beloved Marist Basketball Club, football and Auskick with his favourite Shepparton Bears and soccer with his school friends,” Jaimi said.
“We are grateful for people donating to the RCH Good Friday appeal — as the saying goes, ‘Give so they may grow’.”
Each year, the family and friends fundraise on their social media pages to continue their support of the Good Friday Appeal.
“He’s one of the lucky ones,” Troy said.
“There are a lot more kids who are way worse off, but down there at the children’s hospital, the nurses, every doctor and the facilities are amazing.
“Whether it’s $1, $5, $50, whatever you can afford, it’d be brilliant if everyone could make a donation.”
Donate online at goodfridayappeal.com.au
Cadet Journalist