Lochy's wish for a swimming pool!
Donation protected
Lochlyn Burtenshaw is a bright and energetic 10 year old who is battling Cystic Fibrosis. Cystic Fibrosis is a life threatening genetic disease that affects the lungs, digestive system, pancreas, kidneys and reproductive system. CF causes the body to produce unusually thick mucus that clogs the lungs, which leads to lung infection, which leads to scarring and over time causes loss of lung function and reduces the average life span. Lochy was diagnosed with CF as a tiny baby and over the last 10 years, has endured countless hospital stays and various treatments, with them becoming so frequent that he has recently had a port put into his chest to replace a standard pick line.
To say that Lochy and his family are an inspiration is an understatement. Rod and Vic have always chosen to embrace life, and not to focus on Lochy’s struggles, but on his strengths and being together as a family. Of course there is the daily physio requirements, the special diet, the courses of drugs that play havoc in his tiny body, and the impact all of this has on his little brother Kai and the family unit.
As some of you may know, just recently The Burtenshaws had quite a scare with Lochy. Rod and Vic were woken in the middle of the night, to Kai’s screams for help. Lochy was limp and not getting any air. Both Rod and Vic performed CPR on Lochy to bring him back to life. He was rushed to the Gold Coast University Hospital, where they performed a blood transfusion, and was then taken to the Lady Cilento Hospital in Brisbane. He then had surgery, and the Doctors found 3 ulcers, two were healing and one still actively bleeding. He is then going to be swallowing a capsule with a camera in it and this will take photos of his entire GI tract.
Loch has always struggled to breathe and has never known what being or breathing “normal” is. Throughout the years he has struggled to gain weight and all of these complications increase with age, requiring ever increasing levels of care and support, obviously as his condition deteriorates he may in the future need a transplant. Loch doesn't ask for much despite the unfortunate hand he was dealt.
As close friends of the couple we urgently request your input. We are reaching out to everyone in the hope that, we can raise the money to help The Burtenshaws cope with mounting medical expenses as well as make Lochy’s dreams of having a swimming pool come true. Also allowing them to focus all of their attention and energy on his treatment and the overall care of the family. Those who know both Rod and Vic can understand how difficult it is for them to accept your kindness but we have urged them to allow us to gather support and assistance.
To say that Lochy and his family are an inspiration is an understatement. Rod and Vic have always chosen to embrace life, and not to focus on Lochy’s struggles, but on his strengths and being together as a family. Of course there is the daily physio requirements, the special diet, the courses of drugs that play havoc in his tiny body, and the impact all of this has on his little brother Kai and the family unit.
As some of you may know, just recently The Burtenshaws had quite a scare with Lochy. Rod and Vic were woken in the middle of the night, to Kai’s screams for help. Lochy was limp and not getting any air. Both Rod and Vic performed CPR on Lochy to bring him back to life. He was rushed to the Gold Coast University Hospital, where they performed a blood transfusion, and was then taken to the Lady Cilento Hospital in Brisbane. He then had surgery, and the Doctors found 3 ulcers, two were healing and one still actively bleeding. He is then going to be swallowing a capsule with a camera in it and this will take photos of his entire GI tract.
Loch has always struggled to breathe and has never known what being or breathing “normal” is. Throughout the years he has struggled to gain weight and all of these complications increase with age, requiring ever increasing levels of care and support, obviously as his condition deteriorates he may in the future need a transplant. Loch doesn't ask for much despite the unfortunate hand he was dealt.
As close friends of the couple we urgently request your input. We are reaching out to everyone in the hope that, we can raise the money to help The Burtenshaws cope with mounting medical expenses as well as make Lochy’s dreams of having a swimming pool come true. Also allowing them to focus all of their attention and energy on his treatment and the overall care of the family. Those who know both Rod and Vic can understand how difficult it is for them to accept your kindness but we have urged them to allow us to gather support and assistance.