A very first Christmas at home for Henry: “It’s incredible,” says his mother

Little Henry is experiencing his very first Christmas Eve at home with his family this year, after spending more than a year in hospital due to two serious and rare illnesses.

“It’s incredible,” breathes Jessica McConnel, after a roller coaster year. It feels so good to finally be home!”

“It’s a very long time, 13 months in hospital,” sighs her partner, Ben Browning.

Born on October 23, 2023, little Henry Browning had an extraordinary first year of life. Born at the Royal Victoria Hospital (MUHC) in Montreal, he was officially able to leave the place on December 2.

“He is so much happier,” notes his mother. We can let him play on the floor, he plays with his big sister.”

From birth, the newborn had intestinal problems: he was unable to defecate.

Perforated intestine

At 10 days of life, part of his intestine even perforated and the baby had to undergo emergency surgery.

“We didn’t know if he was going to live. He couldn't breathe anymore,” confides the mother from Montreal, still emotional.

Henry was quickly diagnosed with Hirschsprung's disease. This rare birth defect is characterized by a lack of nerve cells in part of the large intestine, which prevents stool from moving forward.

Henry therefore had part of this organ removed and a colostomy (external bag for excrement) performed. Now, under normal circumstances, little Henry should have gotten better quickly.

“Henry couldn’t drink, he had secretions. Normally, this is resolved,” explains the D^r Pramod Puligandla, pediatric surgeon at the Montreal Children's Hospital.

“Henry was drinking five milliliters of milk and his colostomy bag was completely full and black,” says Mr Browning, 33.

For months, the parents did not know what was devastated by their boy.

“We were so frustrated,” admits the 37-year-old mother, who divided her time between the hospital and home, where their 6-year-old daughter lives. Even the doctors weren't sure what was ailing Henry.

“It was really a mystery,” admits the D^r Puligandla, who even consulted colleagues in Toronto and Cincinnati, United States.

Other very rare diagnosis

In fact, Henry had a second condition at the same time: early inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis).

“The diagnosis is extremely rare at this age,” admits the specialist doctor.

Since he started medication for this second illness last May, his condition has finally improved.

“The doctors were very nervous to give the medicine, they had never had a patient as young as that,” recalls the father, who was also nervous.

Since his birth, Henry has already undergone six surgeries. This great year of trials fortunately ends well for the boy, who feeds himself and loves to eat.

He will probably need to be operated on again in the future to remove the colostomy and reconnect the intestine to the anus, the D hopes.^r With Puligandla.

“I want the next surgery to go well. A little patience now will pay off later, assures the doctor. It’s truly a beautiful Christmas story!”