A Co Fermanagh family has praised their ‘little warrior’ as they face the weeks leading up to Christmas in hospital with their baby boy facing heart surgery.
Logan Boyd was born in January with a heart defect and has spent much of his first year of life in hospital battling a number of heart conditions.
Now the Bellanaleck family is facing the prospect of Logan going through major surgery during the festive period.
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Logan’s dad Richie said he and his wife Shauna were first made aware of an issue with Logan’s heart last October.
“In October 2021 at our second 20 week scan we found out there were some abnormalities with Logan’s heart, at this stage they were not sure exactly what was wrong but that his heart rate didn’t match up and what they found was that one side of his heart was a little smaller than the other,” Richie said.
“A week later we got seen in Belfast and our diagnosis then was that our Logan had total heart block with a large VSD, a possible overriding aortic valve along with right hypo plastic heart syndrome.
“This was a total shock to us and with four other kids you can imagine trying to keep a clear head and to keep it hidden from them also.
After he was born Logan spent five weeks in hospital in both Dublin and Belfast before being taken home to meet his two brothers and sister.
Logan spent another five weeks at home before he became unwell and was admitted to the South West Acute Hospital before being transferred to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Belfast.
He then spent a gruelling four months in hospital which Richie said led to a 'long stressful summer' for the family.
“He was kept in SWAH for a few days before being transferred to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children,” Richie added.
“Logan then spent nearly four months in Belfast which resulted in a long stressful summer but with the amazing team on Clark clinic it made things a little easier.
“Even with Logan picking up virus after virus it was still a very hard time for our family with not just having Logan but to try and be there for the other four children who all have additional needs and are dependent on us as well.”
Since August Logan has spent most weeks in and out of hospital and planned surgery in December in Dublin was cancelled.
In the lead up to Christmas, Logan’s dad said it has been a worrisome time for the family, with constant trips to Belfast and Dublin putting financial strain on the family.
They have set up a fundraising page for anyone who wishes to support them, which has now gathered almost £7,000.
“Logan will now be in hospital until he has his heart surgery which coming up to Christmas is a strain on our family.
“Usually it is a time for family days out and having fun with our kids and doing different festive activities, which this year we have not got to do as of yet.
“The GoFundMe page has been a great help to us as a family, it has helped us in our time of need and we really appreciate everyone’s donations especially when things are so hard for everyone this time of year.
“Over Christmas we have been told that we can bring Logan home for a day or two all depending on how he is.
“Even though he is unwell he still manages to smile and stay happy most of the day. Logan is our little warrior and we know he is loved by so many far and wide, and we are so grateful to have his story shared with so many.”
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