Laois teacher's 1,000km thank you tour for twin babies' amazing survival

A Laois teacher is about to begin a big cross county cycle, in thanks to medical staff who saved his children's lives.

Ballacolla man Padraic Kavanagh, proud dad to miracle twins Ellie and Páidí, will cycle 1,000km to work in Killenard National School for the month of June, in aid of Crumlin Children's Hospital and The Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital.

Padraic told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that they are "incredible institutions that played a life-saving role in my family's story".

His cycle will not be easy.

"The bulk will be my 76km daily round trip to school, rain or shine. This will be a massive challenge. I’m not a regular cyclist and have had to borrow a bike," he said.

"I’ll make up the remaining distance on weekends and hopefully, finish on my last day of school, June 27," he explains.

He has already raised over €7,300 for Children's Health Foundation and Friends of the Coombe before he even gets in the saddle.

Twins Ellie & Páidí were born to Padraic and Teresa by emergency section at 27 weeks, and they needed many procedures to survive.

Ellie and Páidí at birth.

“Páidí was diagnosed in the womb with supra- ventricular tachycardia (SVT), a condition that caused his tiny heart to race at over 240 beats per minute. The medication to slow his heart was essential but Ellie's heart rate began to fall dangerously low. The twins needed to be delivered to save them both.

“They arrived in a whirlwind of urgency. The doctors fought to stabilize Páidí. The first 48 hours were some of the longest of our lives. We watched and waited, feeling utterly helpless as the team tried to bring his heart under control,” he said.

Just as Páidí began to improve, Ellie at four days old was rushed to Crumlin hospital for surgery on a life threatening twisted bowel.

She recovered enough to return to her brother in the Coombe on Christmas day. Both babies were put on antibiotics to avoid sepsis while Páidí was still having episodes of SVT.

“Our fear for Ellie grew. Her bowel wasn’t functioning properly and further surgery was likely. Our consultant in Crumlin was incredible, visiting Ellie in the Coombe. After ten long days of worry, she began to improve.

“Our focus shifted again as medication that had worked for Páidí was too dangerous to continue over a prolonged period. The risk of infection remained, as did recurring episodes of SVT. At one point, our consultant was baffled when his heart soared to 333 bpm," their dad said.

Ellie’s next challenge was a diagnosis of ROP, Retinopathy of Prematurity. Weighing just two pounds, she had to undergo laser eye surgery to correct the growth of abnormal cells that, if left untreated, could lead to blindness, It was a success.

“From that point on, Ellie began to grow stronger. After 64 days in hospital, she was finally discharged."

Páidí followed 40 days later, having overcome feeding difficulties with a special bottle, and on the right medications mix for his SVT.

“After 104 days in hospital, we finally travelled home as a family of four, on what was the happiest day of our lives. All of this happened during the height of COVID, when isolation and fear added even more weight. But the compassion, dedication, and brilliance of the staff carried us through," Padraic said.

Padraig and Eillie celebrating their 3rd birthday.

“We can’t thank the staff of both hospitals enough, they are our heroes. We hope to raise funds to support the life-saving work they do every day.  Every euro raised will go to ensure that critically ill babies get the expert care and love they need to survive,” Padraic Kavanagh said.

Read also: PICTURES: Laois Cumann na mBunscoil 

His school will be waiting for a saddle sore Padraic when he arrives to work on Monday, June 2.

"We will have the tea and biscuits waiting for you when you get to school!! Fair play Padraic, it will be no bother to you," Michelle Finn said on his donation page.

To make a donation, see Padraic's fundraiser on www.idonate.ie/fundraiser /TwinsThankYouTour