• Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Read Our Newspapers Online
    • Read the Latest Western Port News
    • Read the Latest Mornington News
    • Read the Latest Southern Peninsula News
    • Read the Latest Frankston Times
    • Read the Latest Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending
  • Flinders candidates have their say
  • ‘Town hall’ meets the candidates
  • Saving soles from landfill
  • No guaranteed happy returns for campers
  • Car-sleepers rise amid housing crisis
  • 278 Dundas Street, Rye
  • Pier fears relaxed by budget’s $1.5m
  • Drift set to float at Point Leo
Facebook Twitter
MPNEWSMPNEWS
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
MPNEWSMPNEWS
Home»News»The life of Eve, one breath at a time
News

The life of Eve, one breath at a time

By Stephen TaylorOctober 28, 2019Updated:November 6, 2019No Comments3 Mins Read
Uncertain future: Georgie Doherty and daughter Eve safe at home in Mt Martha. Picture: Yanni
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
Uncertain future: Georgie Doherty and daughter Eve safe at home in Mt Martha. Picture: Yanni

A BABY girl from Mt Martha is suffering from a one in a million genetic condition affecting her lungs and heart which means she must breathe through a tube.

Since birth, four-and-a-half-month-old Eve has been unable to breathe without her oxygen bottle.

First-time parents Georgie and Shaun Doherty spent the first two months of Eve’s life in the newborn intensive care unit at the Royal Children’s Hospital while doctors scrambled to find out what was wrong.

Eve was eventually diagnosed with interstitial lung disease (chILD) and severe pulmonary hypertension (PHA). The condition chILD in newborns is said to be extremely rare, with a diagnosed three cases a million.

There is no known cure.

The couple has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for Eve’s ongoing medical expenses, such as portable oxygen tanks, medications and specialist appointments. Up until Thursday night they had raised $15,200 towards a $25,000 target, but the future costs the family faces are inestimable.

Ms Doherty said she and Eve had been back to the RCH three times for treatment since Eve’s discharge 10 weeks ago.

“It’s tricky to predict the future, but Eve’s outcomes will be unknown until she is at least two,” she said.

“It’s all really new research as there are only a handful of cases like this worldwide. We’ve only read two case studies, both in the US, and over the past 20 years there have only been 21 case studies.”

Eve’s genetic sequence is said to be unique.

Ms Doherty said some of the affected infants do not survive, but others appear to grow out of the condition.

“Eve’s lungs are still growing and at age two she is expected to be strong enough to withstand more extensive treatment. For example, similar cases have received heart and lung transplants, but these are enormously complex.”

Ms Doherty said there was “no significant data on newborns and not really any upside”.

Eve was able to “declare herself”” and signal acceptance of her various treatments or not.

A worrying sign was an increase in the volume of oxygen Eve was breathing since she left hospital, a sing that her lungs are not as efficient as they could be.

Ms Doherty said leaving the house for pram walks – which Eve seemed to enjoy– was “tricky” because the cost of the exorbitant cost of oxygen.

“We have always got to be mindful of where we go and the time we will be out and this gets logistically hard,” she said.

Part of the reason the couple, both teachers, moved to Mt Martha in January was for the outdoor lifestyle and beach and bush scenery.

“I’ve taken extended maternity leave and Shaun gets home at 5pm and spends some “daddy-daughter time” with Eve while I take a break, Ms Doherty said.

“It’s hard, but it is rewarding: Eve is incredibly resilient and inspiring.”

To support Eve visit: gofundme.com/f/breathe-for-eve

First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 29 October 2019

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

Related Posts

Seeking Jackson

May 9, 2022

Lights on ‘by end of June’

May 9, 2022

Wanted man

May 2, 2022

Car chase

May 2, 2022
Add A Comment

Comments are closed.

Weather
May 17, 2022 - Tue
Mornington, Australia
11°C
few clouds
few clouds
3 m/s, W
64%
761.31 mmHg
tue05/17 wed05/18 thu05/19 fri05/20 sat05/21
light rain
13/13°C
light rain
12/11°C
light rain
14/12°C
overcast clouds
14/11°C
sky is clear
13/11°C
Peninsula Essence Magazine

Click here to read

April 27, 2022
Peninsula Kids Magazine

Click here to read

March 2, 2022
Council Watch

Shire offers $500,000 to performing arts

May 2, 2022

Mayor claims record in trust appointment

April 26, 2022
Elections 2022

Flinders candidates have their say

May 16, 2022

‘Town hall’ meets the candidates

May 16, 2022

Caught in the act

May 9, 2022
Interview

Volunteers track koalas for science

May 2, 2022
Property of the Week

278 Dundas Street, Rye

May 11, 2022
100 Years Ago This Week

The passing of an eminent journalist

May 9, 2022
Contact
Street: 63 Watt Road, Mornington, 3931
Mailing: PO Box 588, Hastings, 3915
Menu
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
About

Established in 2006, Mornington Peninsula News Group (MPNG) is a locally owned and operated, independent media company.

MPNG publishes five weekly community newspapers: the Western Port News, Mornington News, Southern Peninsula News, Frankston Times and Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News.

MPNG also publishes two glossy magazines: Peninsula Essence and Peninsula Kids.

Facebook Twitter
© 2022 Mornington Peninsula News Group.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.