Mason Really gives others hope

A WEEK after Mason Really was born, his mum Melissa Burley was told she needed to prepare to say goodbye.

LIVING FOR MIRACLES: Melissa Burley and Nathan Really with son Mason Really. PHOTO: ADAM HOURIGAN

A WEEK after Mason Really was born, his mum Melissa Burley was told she needed to prepare to say goodbye.

After a traumatic labour which lasted 36 hours, Mason was delivered by caesarean in Grafton Base Hospital.

At first he seemed fine, but after spending a few days at home in South Grafton, Melissa knew something wasn't right.

Mason was lethargic and not feeding well so Melissa returned to hospital with her new baby boy where he underwent tests.

With his condition rapidly deteriorating, a team of paediatric specialists from the Newborn and paediatric Emergency Transport Service (NETS) were called in on an emergency flight.

They took Mason back to Sydney Children's Hospital and the intensive care unit.

"It was just horrible," remembers Ms Burley.

"He was grey and full of tubes - his organs were shutting down and they were all working on him to keep him alive."

Test results revealed Mason was severely dehydrated and had only one functioning kidney.

He spent three weeks in intensive care while Melissa watched and waited anxiously for signs of improvement.

Four weeks after arriving in Sydney, finally Mason was well enough to return home with his family to Grafton.

Even though he still has a low immune system and needs regular check ups, Mason continues to show his fighting spirit and will celebrate his third birthday today.

"He's proved them all wrong and is doing really well," Ms Burley said.

She welcomed the arrival of new video consultation equipment for the Grafton Base Hospital pediatric department.

"It's definitely what we need," she said.

"I reckon it will save a lot more lives and help families get an understanding of what's going on faster."

Originally published as Mason Really gives others hope