Determined tot Taylor now thriving after lifesaving care at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospitals
Twenty-month-old Taylor Wilshire Cox has been through a lot, including multiple surgeries, after being born prematurely then developing serious health issues shortly after being born but she’s now back home in Erdington and thriving thanks to lifesaving care at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospitals.
Mum and Dad, Becky Wilshire Cox and Andy Cox have praised the specialist care and support their daughter has received through her journey and are thrilled to be looking forward to a positive future.
Taylor was born prematurely at the Women’s Hospital at just 29 weeks and three days during the summer of 2023. She went on to spend the first eight months of her life on wards at both of the city’s specialist hospitals, including time on the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and Neonatal Surgical Ward (NSW).
She has Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS) as a result of a twisted bowel and Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), which is when the lining of the intestine dies and prevents the body from absorbing nutrients.
It’s estimated this is present in around 25 of every 100,000 births and is more common in babies born prematurely.
Taylor has had five major abdominal surgeries during her life, including her first at just two-weeks-old and a lifesaving procedure to untwist her bowel in July 2024. The Laparotomy surgery, a surgical incision into the abdomen, was during the family's "darkest morning" where they feared they may lose their little one.
The tot had her bowel temporarily on the outside of her body, a Bogota bag technique, leaving her temporarily paralysed for a weekend before a second look surgery to successfully save some of her bowel could be done during her week stay on PICU.
Mum Becky, who teaches English, said: “From the very beginning we received support from the teams with lots of advice at both hospitals. They did their medical jobs but also went beyond that by also comforting us.
“It was a very intense time for us, but the staff had such a positive impact. We are still in touch with some of them from the wards today.
“We also met some families in a similar situation and we still speak to them and are able to share our experiences.”
Dad, Science Teacher Andy, said: “We knew quite early on we would be in the hospital with Taylor for a sustained period of time.
“We had confidence we’d come in and she’d be cuddling the nurses and they’d look after her.
“We had absolute faith in the medical professionals all the way as first-time parents we had a lot to figure out.”
Thankfully, Taylor is now doing really well and is enjoying things children do at that age. She now goes to nursery and loves trips to the farm to see her favourite animals, sheep. She also has a pet cat, Ivy, who she is “besotted with”.
Becky said: “Having her home is brilliant. It is important that she doesn’t miss out. She has everything other children have, like play groups, that we can do together now. For the longest time we couldn’t do it so it is now more special we savour it more.
Andy added: “We are so grateful and lucky to have the hospital and the experts
“The medical teams have saved her life. She wouldn’t be where she is now without them.
“Everyone is so compassionate and they genuinely care. Taylor is now thriving thanks to the care she has received across the hospitals.”
Dr Sue Protheroe, Consultant Paediatric Gastroenterologist at the Children’s Hospital, has led on Taylor’s care but is one of many who have supported family throughout their journey.
She said: “It has been marvellous to see Taylor make such great progress since her discharge home.
“Taylors parents have been by her side constantly and dedicated to achieving the best for their lovely daughter.
“We're grateful that her parents, Andy and Becky, have shared her journey in order to support other families who are starting out on theirs.”
Taylor will continue to be cared for by specialists at the Children’s Hospital via outpatient appointments.