Athenry mum grateful of support during child's illness
Baby twin had serious heart defects
AN Athenry mum who lost her child to severe illness celebrated McHappy Day to recall the hope and happiness she felt watching another child return home.
Melissa Treacy from Athenry celebrated the nationwide fundraiser last Saturday, September 26 to support the Ronald McDonald House in Dublin, where she spent 70 difficult nights of her life.
Four years ago, Melissa Treacy (43), had twin boys, Odhran and Cian, following IVF treatment as a solo parent.
A few months into the pregnancy, she learned that Cian had a heart defect, while a second defect was found after he was born.
At two weeks old, he was transferred to Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin, in Dublin.
His condition proved more serious than expected and Melissa lost her son when he was just three months old.
During Cian’s treatment at CHI, Melissa initially used parents’ accommodation at the hospital, but later moved into the Ronald McDonald House, where she remained for 70 nights.
The move also helped her bring Odhran, who had been staying with a family friend, to live with her.
“It transformed everything. Odhran was with me and my family could visit too,” said Melissa.
Courage and hope
Living with 20 other families who were dealing with their own family crises provided Melissa with courage and hope.
She shared that watching a little girl going home with her family after six months of stay at RMH, gave her hope to carry on and it was the moment she remembered most clearly from her own stay.
She is still close to people she met during those difficult weeks and has attended three of the annual reunion picnics held by RMH for the families.
“Ronald McDonald House provides the kind of support that you don’t fully understand until you’re living there,” commented Melissa.
“Being in the House makes a bad situation a little less of a nightmare. I always think about them (the family who left after six months) to this day.
“Their daughter got better and that gave the rest of us a reason to celebrate as well as a reason to keep going,” she added.