A TALENTED young dancer who was left in intensive care after a serious onset of flu exacerbated an underlying diabetic condition has returned home after making a full recovery.
Carla O'Brien, who lives in Greenlough near Portglenone in Co Antrim, was discharged on Thursday after being given a clean bill of health after almost a month in hospital.
Her parents Aine and Eoghan last night spoke of their relief to have their seven-year-old daughter home after she deteriorated from a "perfectly healthy” child to fighting for her life within a matter of hours last month.
Carla, a champion Irish dancer, had came home from school suffering from flu-like symptoms however within days, she had lost weight, was slurring her words and appeared disorientated.
She was referred to Antrim Area Hospital where her condition had deteriorated so much, it was declared an emergency.
Blood tests revealed Carla - who is also a gymnast and a member of Belfast School of Performing Arts - had Type 1 diabetes and the onset of the flu had put her young body under so much pressure it had aggravated the underlying condition.
Doctors found Carla had diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious condition which can occur in people with diabetes if their body starts to run out of insulin.
Ketoacidosis occurs when harmful compounds called ketones build up in the body. The condition can be life-threatening if not spotted and treated quickly.
Carla, who was also diagnosed with pneumonia, was transferred to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, where she was admitted to the intensive care unit for life-saving treatment.
Almost one month on, Carla was finally allowed to return home this week and was greeted at the door with hugs from her young brothers.
Speaking last night, Mrs O'Brien, who had spoken out about her daughter Carla’s case to warn other parents to keep a close eye on their children when they are sick, said the seven-year-old has been "progressing so well".
However, the mother-of-four revealed that the schoolgirl will have to have x-rays of her lungs for the next year after she was diagnosed with a lung infection.
Mrs O'Brien said Carla was "delighted" to get home to her own toys and clothes and "back to her own life".
"It is just such a relief," she said.
"Now we can get back to own lives again, back to our little family. Just to have us back together is just amazing".
Mrs O'Brien said she and her husband, Eoghan - who is a pharmacist in Portglenone - want Carla to get back to doing the things she loves.
"Little snippets of little Carla are coming back," she said.
"She is still quiet and withdrawn. She is still thin and not steady on her feet yet, but she's eating. The whole thing about her moving home is a big step on the road to recovery.
"We are so proud of her determination to recover. It's an education for all of us. We want Carla to go back to being a little girl and we will carry the load for her. It's our lives that will change, not hers".
Mrs O'Brien also paid tribute to the "exceptional medical care" her daughter received both at Antrim Area Hospital and the RVH.
"We will be forever indebted to them because they worked wonders on Carla. They were just exceptional," she said.
"We also want to say 'thank you' to the community and all our friends for all the prayers, support and kind wishes".
