Newbridge mum's trauma after son ends up in intensive care

Sian Waite was on a family holiday in Benidorm around one year ago when her son Freddie swallowed a toy bullet with a suction cup.

Freddie began to suffer from wheezing and was taken to a local hospital where he was given something to excrete the bullet, but the suction cup remained in his body and caused serious health issues.

Freddie was in and out of hospital. (Image: Sian Waite)

Sian, who is from Newbridge, Caerphilly, said: “This last year has been traumatizing for me and my family. It has been traumatic, especially going in out and of surgery with my son and not fully knowing if he would survive, as he is so young.

“The doctors thought there was something wrong with his chest like asthma, chest infection and adenoids. He was given antibiotics, steroids and asthma pumps but nothing worked.

The suction cup proved difficult to remove. (Image: Sian Waite)

“After being admitted to hospital via ambulance they found that he had a collapsed lung, and the suction cup could be seen on an X-Ray.  He was then transferred to the Heath Hospital where an attempt was made to remove it from his lung.

“After being unsuccessful there, he was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London where they were able to remove the toy.”

Freddie had five surgeries. (Image: Sian Waite)

A GoFundMe page has been set up in support of Freddie and his family, with over £2600 raised so far.

Despite removing the toy, the surgery caused a tear in Freddie’s oesophagus and left a hole in his lung, resulting in him having to use a feeding tube until they could operate to repair the damage.

Sian continued: “He then had open chest surgery and remained asleep in intensive care until he had healed enough to move around. He just turned two years old in May and has had five surgeries.”

Freddie turned two years old in May. (Image: Sian Waite)

However, Sian and her family’s distress worsened when they were notified that their home was on fire.

“We were in London at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Around ten o’clock we were told that our house was on fire. We lost everything. My neighbour sent me pictures of smoke coming from the windows.

Sian and her family lost all their belongings in a fire. (Image: Sian Waite)

“All of our possessions were gone and we didn’t salvage anything. We are currently in temporary accommodation.”