WHEN young Billy Blackstone was born he weighed the same as a loaf of bread but after almost six months in hospital - and a dozen blood transfusions - the ‘miracle’ baby was able to spend Christmas at home with his family.
Billy was born on June 11 just 26 weeks and two days into his mum’s, 34-year-old Stephanie from Worsbrough, pregnancy due to complications.
She and his dad, Danny Blackstone, were told that there was a chance he wouldn’t survive the pregnancy due to an issue with blood flow but he was miraculously born weighing just over one pound - the weight of a tin of beans, loaf of bread or two apples.
Stephanie told the Chronicle: “The cord that came from the placenta to Billy had a kink in it and there wasn’t enough blood going through.
“They kept monitoring me and they sent me to Jessop’s in Sheffield and that’s when they decided to do a C-section delivery.
“We were told that there was a chance he could die inside of me while we were waiting because I had to have steroids and a magnesium drip as well.
“He was born on June 11 and we weren’t due until September 15.
“He weighed 545 grams which is really small.”
Stephanie said it was a ‘terrifying’ time for the whole family - and she barely left Billy’s side throughout his first few months.
She added: “It was terrifying.
“His skin was like it was transparent.
“You could see straight through him.
“You could see all his little ribs and it was just horrible.
“He was born at Jessop’s so I stayed with him the whole time he was there but when he moved back to Barnsley Hospital I was able to come back home and things like that.”
After numerous setbacks, Billy was finally able to return home just in time for Christmas - and it was an emotional festive period for the whole family.
“It’s been quite a long road,” she said.
“We were told he was going to be able to come home in October but he had another setback.
“Then it was November and then at the start of December when there was another setback.
“So we didn’t really get our hopes up too much.
“But it was so lovely being able to get him home for Christmas.
“After six months of being in a hospital everyday, just being able to be at home with him in our pyjamas and not in a hospital room was amazing.
“We just spent Christmas at home and didn’t do anything special but it felt special.”
Stephanie said Billy’s recovering well and is an incredibly happy young boy.
She added: “He really is a miracle.
“He’s suffered so much.
“He’s had three rounds of steroids because he’s suffered really badly with his lungs.
“He’s had 12 blood transfusions and is suffering with chronic lung disease which is why he’s still on oxygen.
“But he’s amazing.
“He’s the happiest little boy you’ve ever seen.
“He’s so content and just really happy.
“The hospital told my partner he’s the oldest baby they’ve ever had in the neonatal unit and it’s just amazing.”
And Stephanie says they wouldn’t have been able to have had the Christmas they did without the outstanding support of all the nurses during the first six months of his life.
“I honestly can’t thank Barnsley Hospital enough,” she added.
“They were absolutely brilliant with him.
“We will never be able to thank both Barnsley and Jessop’s for saving our little boy’s life.
“They showed him all the love and care he could possibly need along the way.
“The neonatal nurses are miracle workers and deserve the world.
“They will always hold a special place in our hearts.”
