Reuben's Story: Dundee Kiltwalk

When a 20-week scan revealed that Reuben had a narrowing in one of his heart valves, mum Chantelle knew he would need to be monitored after he was born.

Shortly after birth, Reuben was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart condition consisting of four heart defects. When his condition continued to deteriorate, he underwent life-saving open heart surgery at just four months old.

While Reuben recovered from surgery, Crossbasket House became a lifeline for Chantelle, offering her some much-needed respite. Chantelle and her Mum have since taken on the Mighty Stride at the Dundee Kiltwalk to give back to the vital service that supported her family through an incredibly difficult time.

Reuben’s Hospital Journey

Reuben was a couple months old when he started having issues feeding and gaining weight. Chantelle has told how Reuben was urgently referred to a paediatric cardiologist.

“At just nine weeks old, we attended what we thought would be a routine heart scan, but it changed our lives forever. We were initially told he had a large hole in his heart, but after further investigations he was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart condition made up of four heart defects. He was admitted to hospital that same day, had an NG feeding tube inserted and was started on high-calorie feeds to help him gain enough weight for surgery.

“Doctors originally hoped to delay surgery until he was older, but his condition deteriorated, so just two days after turning four months old he underwent life-saving open-heart surgery.”

Chantelle, Reuben’s mum

Now at home, Reuben still relies on an NG tube and a feeding pump. He’s currently waiting for another operation to fit a gastrostomy feeding tube directly into his stomach.

“Hospital appointments, tests and challenges are still part of everyday life, but despite everything he has faced, he is the happiest little boy with the most infectious smile.”

Chantelle

Crossbasket House

While Reuben recovered from surgery, Crossbasket House helped Chantelle stay close to his bedside without having to commute back and forth from their home in Dundee.

Chantelle adds:

“Crossbasket House became my home away from home during one of the hardest times of my life. After spending all day beside Reuben in hospital, having somewhere warm, quiet and welcoming to return to at night meant everything.

“Being able to have a proper meal instead of surviving on cold sandwiches, take a hot shower, wash my clothes and get a few hours’ sleep before returning to the hospital made an enormous difference. Those things might seem ordinary, but when your child is critically ill, they become invaluable.

“More than anything, Crossbasket House gave me the chance to stay close to my son. That time with him was something I can never get back, and I’ll always be grateful for that.”

Striding into Fundraising

Reuben’s Mum and Gran took on the Mighty Stride at this month’s Dundee Kiltwalk, tackling a 20-mile trek to give back to Crossbasket House, and helping to raise over £300 for other families with children in hospital.

“Crossbasket House allowed me to stay close to Reuben during one of the darkest chapters of our lives, and I know there are many other families who will need that same support in the future. 

“I’m incredibly proud to have fundraised for such an amazing charity, but it’s also emotional because every step reminded me why we’re doing it. This walk was our way of saying thank you and helping ensure more families can stay close to their seriously ill child when they need it most.”