Our Mum of the Month is a frontline worker and single mother to her two daughters, Kiera, who has cystic fibrosis, and Jessica. She wants them to stand on their two feet and be kind.

Health care assistant at the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise, Louise Lynam has been selected as our April Mum Of ­The Month with Woman’s Way and BEKO.

­The mum of two girls, Jessica (15) and Kiera (9), has been working on the frontline since the start of the pandemic. She has taken her role of protecting the children from being exposed to Covid-19 extremely seriously and for months felt unable to even kiss her daughter Kiera goodnight when putting her to bed.

When Kiera was just a few weeks old, she was rushed to Crumlin Hospital as she had a bowel blockage.

It was there, through further tests, Louise was given the news that Kiera has cystic fibrosis. Learning to cope with Kiera’s condition through the help of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland and

Tallaght Hospital, Louise began to manage her little girl’s medication, therapies and check-ups. At five years old, Kiera developed pseudomonas, a chronic lung infection which depleted her energy levels. She was on strong antibiotics which had to be administered twice daily through a nebuliser.

However back in 2018, a life-changing cystic fibrosis drug named Orkambi, was approved, following lobbying of the government by Cystic Fibrosis Ireland. ­ This drug changed Kiera’s life immensely – for the better.

“She had her energy back. She was no longer run-down. If Kiera develops a cough now, the mucus comes up straight away, whereas before, it would take ages, leaving her more exhausted than before.”

Kiera still has a significant care regimen every day which includes time on her nebuliser, chest physio (airway clearance), and up to 22 tablets daily.

During the initial Covid lockdown, Louise was nervous about going to work in the emergency department, while also caring for Kiera.

“It was a very worrying and challenging time for me as a parent with a child in the high-risk category. But once I got to know more about the virus, I got into a routine of being extra careful. I would change my clothes, shower, boil wash my clothes and stay away from Kiera for a few hours when I returned home. That was so tough but I needed to protect her.”

Kiera is a bubbly little character, Louise says, who loves to dance and go to gymnastics. I asked her how tough it was telling Kiera that she could no longer attend those classes due to the virus.

“I remember last March, Kiera was going to have her 8th birthday party with all her friends, my heart broke having to tell her that it couldn’t go ahead. However, myself and my eldest daughter, Jessica, had a small tea party for her, and she loved it. Kiera really understands the importance of looking after herself and staying safe, especially with all the tablets she takes. She is just an amazing little girl.

She knew the importance of the virus and, because she was born with cystic fibrosis, she was always used to hand sanitiser, washing hands and wearing a mask, so it didn’t faze her thankfully. It really shows how resilient little children are”.

Early this year Louise got the Covid vaccine which was a massive relief to her. “I know having this means I now get to protect my family, especially Kiera, but also my work colleagues and the community. I love to care for other people, I love my job at the emergency unit as it’s so rewarding.”

As a single parent and a frontline worker, Louise is grateful for her support network. “My management staff and colleagues throughout Covid have been so supportive, they were always aware of my circumstances at home with Kiera being high risk. ­ They constantly checked in on me.”

“Being on my own for a few years now, I have very good family support - they help me out with the kids when I’m working, which is great. But I am still very much independent and strong; I like to do everything for me and most importantly for the girls”

Lastly, I asked Louise what does being a mother mean to her. “Being a mum makes me a lot of things, it makes me proud, happy, excited but also worried, nervous and occasionally stressed,” laughs Louise. “But all those things combined, I wouldn’t be anything without my two girls, I am forever proud of them. My aim being a mum is to make them happy and proud always and to be a good role model.

Overall, I am just so content in my little world with the two best girls I get to call my daughters.” Visit cfireland.ie

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