The family of a 2-year-old boy who is now living with a new heart shared that they are scared he may catch coronavirus.
It was in April 2018 when Benjamin Rayner, who was eight months old at that time, underwent a heart transplant operation.
However, routine hospital appointments are postponed as the family protects him during coronavirus pandemic.
“I don’t want my son exposed to any risk,” his mom, Ashley Hardy, expressed.
Little Benjamin was born a congenital hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a condition that occurs when the heart doesn’t develop properly. He spent the first months of his life in Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital.
His parents took in turns to travel 326km (200 miles) every week to watch over him.
He underwent two open-heart operations before a new heart was finally found in 2018. But in December of that year, Benjamin suffered complications and a stroke.
Ms. Hardy, who also has two daughters, aged 8 and 11, said: “The elderly, people who have health issues of any age, and babies like Benjamin, are at a high risk; this virus could be fatal.
“The stress and anxiety of the ‘what-ifs’ with coronavirus are through the roof at the moment. We are so scared he’ll get it. Please listen to the guidelines and stay at home.”
She also said that Benjamin will be on immune-suppressants and anti-rejection medication for life.
“We are taking every precaution, but he is a fighter – he’s stubborn, like me,” she added.
According to NHSBT, post-transplant patients across the UK had contracted COVID-19.
Ms. Hardy said she thinks of Benjamin’s heart donor every single day. “That poor family gave my son a chance to live. Some day I want them to hear their loved one’s heart beat in my son,” she expressed.
“There are no words, even today.”
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