Support for our Sheila

Brave, so loving and completely selfless, Sheila has been a cherished member of Stand Children's Services as a Community Social Worker for almost a decade and has worked as a social worker for most of her working life. With such a genuine love for people, she has always been there for those she works alongside no matter what.

Now it would appear it's Sheila's turn to need a shoulder to lean on.

On Saturday 23rd October 2015, Sheila was taken to Middlemore Hospital with what we thought was a severe stomach infection but was ultimately diagnosed as Infective Endocarditis and Sepsis (infection of the inner layer of the heart, and blood poisoning).

Whilst she was being treated with antibiotics, the doctors discovered a 3 cm blood clot in her aorta on Thursday 29th October, and she was transferred to Auckland Hospital the same day to undergo open heart surgery to replace her valve on the morning of Friday 30th October. The surgery has since gone well and she's been in Intensive Care through the afternoon post-op.

Sheila has been studying for a Bachelor of Social Work which she was due to complete in Mid-November this year after juggling full-time work and study for just on three years. She has been volunteering at the Auckland Prostitute's Collective and the James Liston Hostel Trust but has had to put her life on hold to focus her energy into getting back on her feet.

It will be a long road ahead, and the doctors have told us to prepare for Mum to be in hospital for a while to make sure she's 100% again.

We are so proud of our Mum for being amazingly courageous and absolutely any little assistance towards her treatment and rehab would be so incredible for her and us as a family.

She is a treasured Mum and Wife to Ray (Dad), Liam (Son) and myself.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and please don't hesitate to ask any questions.

xxx