Fundraiser to support Mayo girl's recovery after 11 days in ICU
A fundraising campaign has been launched to support a young Mayo girl's recovery after she suffered a bleed on her brain.
Eleven-year-old Shannon Lynch, from Achill, has already undergone surgery and spent 11 days in ICU, but she faces another major operation next month in Beaumont Hospital.
A GoFundMe page - Shannon Lynch's Journey to Recovery - has been launched to support Shannon and her family on the road to recovery, and the outpouring of support has been phenomenal.
On February 15, a couple of weeks after her 11th birthday, Shannon took very ill at her home in Cashel, Achill Island, and was rushed to Mayo University Hospital where it was quickly discovered that she had a substantial bleed on the right hand side of her brain.
She was immediately rushed to Temple Street Children's Hospital in Dublin where the surgeon and his team were waiting to take her to theatre. After a lengthy operation, they eventually succeeded in stopping the bleed and Shannon spent 11 days in ICU recovering.
She is continuing her recovery in St. Gabriel's Ward in Temple Street at present.
Shannon will have to undergo another operation in Beaumont Hospital on April 4 to remove the AVM on the brain that caused the bleed as there is a risk of another bleed especially within the year. She will recover from this operation in ICU Temple Street Children's Hospital before returning to St. Gabriel's Ward for further recovery and rehabilitation.
The GoFundMe page reports that initial assessments of Shannon have shown that she is very weak down her left-hand side and there is damage to both of her eyes. The extent of both injuries are yet unknown until she fully recovers after her next operation and rehabilitation can start.
It is also unknown how long her rehabilitation will take in Dublin as it will be at her pace and her needs will become obvious as time passes.
The update added: 'Considering her prognosis when she arrived at Temple Street she is doing amazing.
'Shannon will be spending the next few months in Dublin but we can't wait to get her home to her twin sister Muireann, little brother Brian, all her family, friends and teachers at Saula National School and back on to the pitch for Achill Rovers and Achill LGFA and Irish dancing with O'Connor School of Dancing.
'We wish to thank everyone for all their well wishes, prayers said and candles lit to date. They have without any doubt assisted Shannon and her family to keep fighting their bravest battle.
'All donations made will be used to assist with Shannon's road to recovery and to help meet all her needs. Her family are so grateful for all the love and support.'
Show your support for Shannon here.