Ava's Story
Ava Deley is 7 years old born with a Genetic condition called
Digeorges Syndrome. She has encountered many admissions at the Stollery since
she was a baby. Ava required open heart surgery at 2 months old, resulting
major complications which required staying at the Stollery for her first
Christmas. She required an anoplasty repair when she was 8 months old, which
unfortunately dehiscence open resulting in a colostomy. Her parents had to
manage caring for Ava with a major wound, pain medication during her first
summer. Her rectum required to be reconstructed surgically Sept 2018 which was
successful. Next in Nov 2018 Avas colostomy reversal surgery happened, which
unfortunately resulted in her bowel perforating and her body went to Septic
shock in the PICU. Ava’s was in critical condition resulting in emergency
surgery and her colostomy created with another bowel resection. Ava again had
another major Abdominal wound that required caring for, with pain management.
In the spring of 2019 Ava had her colostomy successful reversed. Ava has had 2
major dental surgeries when she was 4 and 5 years old. Recently Ava has had a
Posterior pharyngeal flap which was completed January 2024. Ava has had a total
of 11 major surgeries at the Stollery and countless days admitted. She has been
through an extraordinary amount of pain and stress as a child. She has become
so resilient, brave, and courageous. She is now in grade 2, excited to learn
new things every day. She enjoys playing with her friends and always has a
smile on her face. Without the Stollery, Ava wouldn’t be here. The Stollery has
saved Avas life many times and has been an incredible support for Avas parents,
Landon and Stephanie. Ava has become a big sister a couple years ago to
Charlie, and has taken on the role amazing. We cannot thank the Stollery enough
for all they do for Ava and the tremendous amount of kids
surrounding.
