A Warrnambool family is celebrating an early Christmas miracle.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Rebecca Kelly and Jack Rounds spent five-and-a-half weeks at the Royal Children's Hospital with their four-month-old son Oaklyn.
The brave little boy, who lights up a room with his infectious smile, had two holes in his heart.
Doctors told the worried parents Oaklyn would need open heart surgery due to the size of the two holes.
He was put on a feeding tube at the hospital in the lead up to the operation.
Ms Kelly said it was a worrying time at the hospital, with Oaklyn's condition deteriorating in the days leading up to the surgery.
"A few nights before he went downhill and ended up in intensive care on a CPAP breathing machine," she said.
This made the parents even more worried about the surgery.
However, doctors were delighted with his recovery and have declared the surgery a success despite one of the holes being bigger than originally thought.
"We are super blessed he is now OK," Ms Kelly said.
The couple are now home, with Oaklyn's siblings Makenzie, 10, Arlo, 5, and Ryder, 2, over the moon the family will be together for Christmas.
Ms Kelly's aunt Kerry Murphy set up a gofundme page to support the couple, who were overwhelmed by the response.
"We can't thank the community enough for their support," Ms Kelly said.
"I feel super blessed and humbled that I live in such a great town with amazing people in it."
The funds helped the couple cover the costs of being away from home while at their son's bedside.
Ms Kelly said Oaklyn would have regular visits to the doctor, but his prognosis was good.
"He's such a brave and strong boy," she said.
"It's great to be home."
Ms Kelly also praised the staff at the Royal Children's Hospital.
Listen to the latest episode of our weekly episode The Booletin and Beyond:
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.