We owe our baby’s life to nurse Philomena

Photo: Picture: ANTHONY MILLER

Philomena Wood with Louise Frost and her son Kian

LOUISE and Garry Frost have one important reason to thank nurse Philomena Wood — their baby son.

They believe that nine-month-old Kian would not be here today if she had not spotted that he was seriously ill.

Now the couple of Hebron Street, Heyside, have nominated their hero for a Pride in Oldham Award after Kian underwent lifesaving heart surgery.

Louise (32) gave birth at the Royal Oldham Hospital in November and took Kian for a scheduled check in January for jaundice.

“The doctor had seen him and was discharging him and asked Philomena to do a blood test,” explained Louise. “Philomena just felt that he was poorly and we owe everything to her.”

Concerned Philomena did an oxygen test which flagged up a problem. An X-ray then showed that his heart was enlarged and he was sent to Manchester Children’s Hospital for a scan.

This revealed the devastating news that Kian’s arteries were back to front and his heart was not pumping properly.

His body had managed to compensate and he was transferred to Alder Hey Children Hospital for surgery.

The couple who also have a five-year-old son, Ryan, lost their daughter Cerys in 2006, 16 days after she was born 24-weeks premature.

Louise added: “We have been told by a lot of people if we had brought Kian home he would not have survived. They said they would probably have put it down to a cot death.

“He is absolutely fantastic now. You wouldn’t believe there was ever anything wrong with him. They are really happy with how everything has gone and will keep regular checks on him throughout his life.

“In his 50s or 60s he may need some valves replaced, but nothing until then.”

Philomena, of Turf Lane, Royton, has been a paediatric nurse at the Royal Oldham Hospital for 30 years and currently works in children’s outpatients.

She is honoured at the nomination but added: “It wasn’t just me, it was a team effort. I think it is a privilege to look after children anyway.

“I really love my job. When I was working on the ward I loved it when you saw children getting better and going home.

“In outpatients you see children come in on a regular basis. It is nice to see them growing and getting better, and you get to really know them.”