Incubators and hospital hallways are not typically the images Christmas brings to mind, but ever since Teresa Hodge gave birth to her son Thomas on December 25, 2018, Starship Children’s Hospital has been a huge part of their lives.
“They’re like a second family to us,” says Teresa, who gave birth to Thomas in Starship after heart complications were detected during pregnancy. “They’re so caring and so good at what they do.”
While past holidays have been marked with hospital stays, this Christmas the Hodge family is excited to have so much to celebrate, including Thomas’ fifth birthday, enrolling in school and how well he is thriving while living with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
After a rough start to life, parents Teresa and Andrew are looking forward to giving Thomas and his sister Harriet a Christmas to remember.
The condition means the left side of Thomas’ heart didn’t develop properly and has led to him having three open-heart surgeries – the first at just four days old – and another major operation to stitch down his diaphragm.
“Five is such a massive milestone for him,” Teresa, 35, proudly shares.
“He’s been battling for five years, but he’s embraced it and is walking his own path, holding his own and just living his life to the fullest like any other kid.”
Thinking back to the day that changed their lives forever, Teresa says they knew Thomas would need special care in PICU (paediatric intensive care unit) after the 18-week scan showed issues with his heart.
But without an exact diagnosis before birth, she and husband Andrew, 35, were largely in the dark.
“We didn’t know what to expect, but it was a really nice, smooth labour and when he was born, we got to have a couple of minutes of skin to skin,” recalls Teresa, who is also mum to Harriet, seven. “I just looked down at my baby and forgot about everything else that was happening. Even with his imperfection, he was, and is, so perfect to us.”
It was “a very emotional Christmas Day” for the Invercargill family who celebrated with cheesecake and bagels delivered by family, with Harriet opening gifts in the hospital room before Andrew wheeled Teresa in to see Thomas in PICU.
“There was this crochet Christmas blanket over his incubator and a handmade Santa sack filled with clothes someone had donated,” says Teresa. “It was a nice reminder that it was actually Christmas Day and it was his first Christmas present.”
Four days later, as others prepared to welcome the New Year, Thomas underwent his first open-heart surgery, where surgeons diagnosed his condition and explained more operations would follow.
“The days just kind of blurred into weeks,” remembers Teresa, adding it was three months before Thomas was able to finally come home.
Talking about her cuddly, cheeky son, Teresa smiles, saying he loves nothing more than scootering alongside them on big family walks or snuggling up to watch superhero movies.
But for a long time, the future was so uncertain that they lived day-to-day, not daring to plan ahead.
“In those first few years, there were always illnesses, appointments and hospital stays, and we knew he needed extra surgeries, so I made myself live in the moment.”
Thomas has been admitted to Starship six times, twice being transported up by the Starship National Air Ambulance.
January 2022 marked his third open-heart surgery and since then, Thomas has gone from strength to strength.
“He has had no option but to be resilient and he surprises us regularly with how he takes this all in his stride,” says his doting mum. “I look back on times that have been so turbulent, but now we have longer stretches and more good times than not, and he’s starting school – that’s such a huge milestone.”
With his big birthday just around the corner, Thomas is excited to choose his cake and celebrate in Wellington with extended family, and Teresa is finally able to dream of the future with her son.
While she’s happier than ever, Teresa’s quick to acknowledge the families still in hospital who won’t make it home for the holidays.
She’ll never forget the years when Starship was their home away from home, and will be forever grateful for the support and care her family received during this time.
“When I walk in those doors, a weight lifts off my shoulders knowing my child is going to have the best possible care,” she tells. “They are some of the world’s best.
“I guess we take it for granted how lucky we are to live in a country with this level of healthcare and experience, until you’re actually in the position when you need it and realise just how valuable the service is. Without the Starship team and their expertise, Thomas might not be alive today.”
To donate or find out more about Starship’s Christmas Appeal, visit starshipchristmas.org.nz
