Gordon's Mum Darcey tells their story...

It was a long road for Gordon to finally get here. After many losses we were lucky enough to welcome baby Gordon, little brother to Bernie. A couple of routine ultrasounds raised a red flag around his head and ventricle size, but they were ultimately dismissed as a non-issue. After a long and obstructed labour, Gordon was pushed out at the last minute on the operating table, much to the delight of both us and the doctors who were just about to perform a c-section! I didn’t realise his skull was fused at the time (ouch!) which was making it so difficult to get him out. Gordon was taken to the nursery as the doctors were concerned that he may have some bleeding on his brain - again, a relief as this was ruled out, we finally relaxed into being a family of four, recovering and bonding.
 
When Gordon attended his 2 month maternal child health nurse visit, the nurse raised concerns over his soft spot being smaller than it should be. Suddenly his long and unusual head shape wasn’t a sweet little characteristic anymore, and it immediately clicked that something was wrong. The doctor agreed and by the time we got into hospital, the surgeons took one look at him and told us he was textbook Sagittal Craniosynostosis and would need surgery and helmeting.
 
We are scared of the surgery but hopeful that our little guy will pull through and be back to his happy relaxed self soon. The care package from Craniofacial Australia has done exactly as intended - we are feeling supported and cared for as we head into this next chapter. Thank you so much for everything you do. 

An update from Gordon's Mum Darcey post-surgery...

Gordon had surgery in November last year, 2024, under the expert care of Specialits. He did an incredible job, and after a couple of days feeling swollen and a bit sorry for himself, he bounced back like he hadn’t just had major surgery. Gordon got his helmet a few weeks afterwards and wears it happily, though it does mean he wears an adult size hat now!

We have nothing but positive things to say about our hospital experience, the doctors and nurses that cared for him, and the ongoing care from the orthotics team fitting his vibrant rainbow helmets every few weeks. We are so fortunate to live somewhere where we have access to such skilled healthcare workers and it’s made an unthinkable situation a positive and important part of our lives.

Thank you so much for sharing your story Darcey. We are so pleased to hear that Gordon has recovered so well.

Pictured above is Cranio-Warrior Gordan, pre-surgery, sitting in his Care Pack that we sent him. So cute!

Below is a very happy Gordon post-surgery, and with his family.