Swine flu mum is reunited with baby
TEARS poured down the face of Omagh mother Shirley Hamilton earlier this week when she saw her baby son for the first time in five weeks.
On Thursday night the mother of three was flown back to Craigavon Area Hospital by the RAF from London where she received life-saving treatment.
Days after giving birth to her son Thomas Michael on October 16 by emergency caesarian at the Erne Hospital in Enniskillen, Shirley was diagnosed with swine flu.
She was placed in an induced coma and flown to the Royal Brompton Hospital in London for specialist care.
Ms Hamilton awoke from the coma for the first time last week.
Although she still cannot talk and can barely move, doctors say she is over the worst.
Last night her mother Anne told of her joy at having her daughter home.
"The whole family is very tired and emotional after everything that has happened in the last week," she said. "And Shirley is very emotional too.
"She still cannot talk and can only move her head and her right arm a little. But when she saw her son Thomas on Thursday night the tears poured down her face. Her eyes said it all, even though she can't speak yet.
"We were all crying because we never thought we would see her home again.
"The last time Shirley saw Thomas was five weeks ago and I'm sure she saw a huge difference in him."
Anne said after all her daughter has been through, she "looks well".
"We were not able to stay long with her in the unit on Thursday night because she was so tired," said Anne. "She has had a terrible and very stressful time.
"She is still being tube-fed and can't talk. But just look at how far she has come.
"I did not believe this would have happened a few weeks ago. Now, I suppose, we are so hopeful we would like her to get well enough to be out for Christmas.
"Her twin daughters - Leanne and Michelle - are over the moon to have their mummy home."
Last night a spokeswoman from Craigavon Area Hospital said Ms Hamilton was "seriously ill but stable".
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Weather for Belfast
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 8 C to 10 C
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