Brave Noah Quish, 7, has successful scoliosis surgery and medics hope he'll be home by the weekend

Brave schoolboy Noah Quish has successfully come through another major operation – and doctors hope he could be home this weekend.

Noah’s mum Una revealed that the seven-year-old, who has battled several serious illnesses, had a six-hour scoliosis op on Monday.

Una told the Irish Mirror: “They are happy with how it went and said they can’t see why he won’t be home before the weekend. He had a good sleep. He’s just so sore now, but otherwise good.

“He’s very chesty so it’s important to get him on his feet to prevent a chest infection.”

The family previously told the Irish Mirror that there had already been three operations cancelled for scoliosis – which is when vertebrae form a curved line instead of being straight.

Noah was born in March 2017 and diagnosed with a heart condition, severe obstructive Laryngomalacia, scoliosis, chiari malformation of the brain, severe sleep apnoea, a chromosome deletion, and meningitis. He had open heart surgery at four months old and surgery on his airways.

Limerick boy Noah Quish

Devoted parents-of-two Una and dad John were at his hospital bedside again this week, along with Noah’s sister Leah, for an operation on his spine. His ribcage is squeezing his lungs because of a “massive curve” growing on his spine, a problem that was diagnosed five years ago.

He has also had six brain ops since last July. The procedures resulted from complications, including meningitis, after a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt that was inserted into his head to drain fluid from his brain became infected.

Noah captured the hearts of the nation when he was made an honorary garda in 2019 as a special guest at graduations in Garda headquarters, thanks to Little Blue Heroes Foundation, a Garda Siochana-run charity that helps seriously ill children.

Una – who was named Limerick Carer of the Year 2021 – last night told supporters that Noah is doing well, following Monday’s surgery at Crumlin Children’s Hospital Dublin. She revealed that family and friends arranged a fun send-off for Noah on Sunday

Una said: “We had such a special day on Sunday. We were able to forget about the hospital and dreading surgery. Noah barely knew his bloods were being taken as he was too busy showing the nurses photos from the day.

“When he went for surgery, just before the anaesthetic kicked in, he was making siren sounds and telling everyone about the fab day he had. He said he was in a Garda car, making loads of noise, and in a truck blowing the horn. He was so happy. It was so comforting.”

When Noah emerged from his six-hour operation, the Limerick family posted a photo of him asleep in bed.

Una wrote: “Our little warrior is out of surgery and doing well. Very sore and a long tough recovery, but we got this.” Big sister Leah waited by her brother’s bedside and Una said: “He kills her at home but she was the first person he wanted to see in recovery.

“Couldn’t leave her at home. It’s hard leaving Leah to be with Noah, as we say it’s like a piece of the puzzle is missing when she’s not here.” She thanked the family’s supporters and said: “It’s amazing what a country can do with each other’s help.”

Unfortunately, Noah’s latest surgery will have to be repeated every six months. Una explained: “It’s going to be a busy few years because every six months they have to do updates. That is until his back is ready when he is 13 or 14. They will then schedule a big surgery to fuse the spine.

“That should be the end of it. When the spine stops growing, they can fuse the spine.”

Fundraisers to help Noah and his family are ongoing, including a Go Fund Me page called Noah’s Long Road To Recovery. It has raised €13,410 of a €15,000 goal, while thousands are expected to participate in an upcoming Limerick Run for Noah.

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