Toddler home for Christmas after 18 months in hospital

Nineteen-month-old Bertie Melly, who has spent the vast majority of his young life within the sterile confines of hospital wards, is finally experiencing the magic of his first Christmas at home, a heartwarming milestone that seemed impossibly distant for his devoted parents, Phoebe and Callum Melly. Bertie’s journey began with immense adversity; born prematurely at a fragile 24 weeks, he entered the world weighing a mere 1lb 10oz (0.7kg), already facing a daunting battle for survival. His early days were a testament to resilience, requiring constant medical intervention to assist his breathing and a life-threatening illness that targeted his delicate intestines. The first of five critical operations was performed when Bertie was just ten days old, a stark indicator of the profound challenges he would have to overcome. After an arduous 547 days, exceeding 18 months, spent within the care of Evelina London Children’s Hospital and its predecessor facilities, Bertie was finally discharged in November, returning to his family home in Bromley, south-east London, where he is now "making really good progress," according to his overjoyed parents.

Bertie’s dramatic entrance into the world occurred after a remarkably swift 17-minute labour at London’s St Thomas’ Hospital in May 2024. This premature arrival quickly led to a grave diagnosis: necrotising enterocolitis, a devastating condition that causes inflammation and tissue death in the intestines, posing a severe risk to infants. The initial six months of his life were spent in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), a period of intense monitoring and life-saving interventions. Following his time in NICU, Bertie transitioned to the specialized care of Evelina London Children’s Hospital, where his complex medical needs continued to be meticulously managed. Even now, at home, Bertie requires ongoing support, receiving essential nutrients through an intravenous drip and continuing to be fed via a tube.

Despite these persistent medical requirements, the progress Bertie has made since returning home has been nothing short of remarkable, filling his parents with immense hope and joy. Mrs Melly shared that Bertie has been "thriving" in the familiar surroundings of his own home, displaying significant medical improvements and a burgeoning physical development. "He’s physically developing really well," she explained, "I think he’s not that far off walking now. He’s climbing up the stairs, on and off the sofa, and getting a bit more confident with his standing." The transition back to a semblance of normal family life has been profoundly impactful for the Melly family. Mr Melly described the change as almost surreal: "We’ve only been home for four weeks, but it’s almost a distant memory now being at the hospital, which is really nice, just so normal." The ultimate goal for Bertie and his parents is to achieve greater independence from medical equipment. They are hopeful that within the next year, they can successfully wean him off his intravenous drip and transition him to solid food. "If he can get that line out," Mr Melly stated, "then it means we can have a pretty much normal life until he’s eating enough to get the milk pump removed as well."

The emotional resilience of young Bertie, even in the face of such profound physical challenges, has deeply touched everyone around him. His father described him as "the happiest child you will ever meet," a sentiment that underscores Bertie’s indomitable spirit. "Considering everything he’s been through," Mr Melly continued, "if you see his hands, his hands are covered in scars from the amount of cannulas he’s had, he’s got gaping scars all over his abdomen – and he wakes up beaming, goes to bed, beaming. He’s a remarkable little human being." This unwavering positivity, emanating from a child who has endured so much, serves as an inspiration.

The festive season, once a distant dream, has now become a tangible reality for the Melly family. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, they were able to share a special outing with Bertie to visit Father Christmas, an experience that, while perhaps more about the sensory delights of the decorations for the toddler, represented a profound step towards normalcy. Mrs Melly shared that Bertie was "more interested in all the decorations" during his visit, a charming detail that highlights his blossoming curiosity and engagement with the world around him. The family’s profound gratitude extends to the dedicated medical professionals who have been instrumental in Bertie’s care. They expressed being "eternally grateful" to the entire team at Evelina London Children’s Hospital for their unwavering commitment and expertise.

This sentiment was reciprocated by the medical team, particularly Iain Yardley, a consultant paediatric and neonatal surgeon at Evelina London, who played a significant role in Bertie’s treatment. Mr Yardley acknowledged the immense fortitude displayed by both Bertie and his parents, stating, "Bertie has faced many, many challenges in his short life. He and his parents have faced these challenges with extraordinary grace and courage." The surgeon further emphasized the collective joy within the hospital staff at Bertie’s homecoming: "Seeing him go home is what we all have been working for and we could not be more pleased for him and his family." Bertie’s homecoming represents not just a personal triumph for his family, but a beacon of hope for other families navigating similar complex medical journeys, underscoring the power of perseverance, medical innovation, and the unwavering love of a family. The image of Bertie, finally home and ready to embrace the joy of Christmas, is a powerful testament to the human spirit’s capacity for resilience and the profound significance of family.