THE Moore family is still celebrating a Christmas miracle.
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Lotte Moore has faced a string of medical setbacks ever since she was born 10 weeks’ premature on July 1 to parents Ryan and Katie Moore.
At just 33 weeks’ gestation, Lotte was flown from her hometown of Tamworth to the John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle, where it was discovered she was suffering from an incredibly rare cyst – congenital supraglottic cyst – that was blocking 90 per cent of her airway.
From there, Lotte has been in and out of hospital, undergoing multiple operations to remove the recurring cyst that affects only 200 people in the entire world.
Lotte is the only paediatric patient reported to be living with the condition.
The Tamworth community rallied behind the Moore family by launching the fundraising campaign, Lotte’s First Christmas, to help cover medical and accommodation costs for the family to travel between Tamworth and Newcastle.
After an outpouring of support and getting the all-clear from doctors, Lotte celebrated her very first Christmas at home with her family.
“We went (to Newcastle) the week before Christmas to have a pH probe put down her nose,” Mrs Moore said.
“And she passed. It’s the first thing she’s passed.
“We never hear the pass word, so it was really good.”
Mr and Mrs Moore brought Lotte home just two days before Christmas.
“Her brothers and sisters are so happy to have her back,” she said.
Despite Lotte still being on 24-hour oxygen and tube-fed, she continues to defy the odds.
Her brothers and sisters are so happy to have her back.
- Katie Moore
“Last time we were in John Hunter Hospital, the occupational therapist and physiotherapist came to see us because Lotte’s classed as a hospital baby (someone who’s spent more time in hospital than out) and they tend not to hit milestones, but Lotte’s been smashing them all,” Mrs Moore said.
“She’s doing really well.”
The fundraising campaign has allowed Mr Moore to travel to Newcastle for Lotte’s next round of tests later this month.
Lotte will then have ongoing fortnightly checks until she is taken off oxygen.
The family has thanked the Tamworth community for its ongoing support.
“It’s just been amazing,” Mrs Moore said.
“Everyone has just pulled together, especially at a time of year when you’ve got enough money to pay out.”