Country music star Lisa McHugh has shared a heartfelt update on her daughter Hallie's health struggles, revealing the little one is "having a very rough time" in hospital battling respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and bronchiolitis. Taking to social media, Lisa expressed her gratitude for the outpouring of support and concern, posting a tender image of herself holding Hallie as she rests in the hospital.
Her message read: "Thank you all so much for your messages and prayers. So many of you asking how Hallie is."
"She's having a very rough time of it. We're still here."
The singer, who is also a mum to Milo, opened up about the challenges they've faced since Hallie fell ill and emphasised the importance of vigilance against these conditions for other parents. She recounted her own fears as a first-time mother, saying: "When I became a first time mum I always had a fear of RSV and Bronchiolitis. I was very conscious of the environment Milo was ever in or around, but also as a first time mum, you sometimes can't help but have the feeling that you're over reacting or being over paranoid whether you just battle that internal voice or you're made to feel that way by others."
Lisa admitted to avoiding certain situations to protect her children, even if it meant not being entirely open about her reasons, reports RSVP Live.
She stressed the seriousness of what might seem like minor cold symptoms in adults, which can be far more severe for infants: "I know I chose to avoid situations as much as I could that I wasn't comfortable having Milo around, instead of just being upfront and saying the real reason! I don't want to have my child around people who 'just have a sniffle or head cold' or who are 'over the worst of it' because it definitely wont be that way for a baby. Milo was one of the lucky ones who didn't catch RSV."
The Co Fermanagh resident added: "But sometimes no matter how hard you try, it unfortunately just happens and that's the case for poor Hallie. She's had the toughest and most heartbreaking few days in hospital."
"I can't describe how horrendous it has been to watch her so weak and in so much pain and being unable to take that pain away. She is still very sick in hospital but she's getting amazing care from the nurses and doctors in SWAH. We just hope she starts to get some relief and turns a corner soon."
Lisa asked everyone to keep Hallie in their thoughts and emphasised the importance of awareness on RSV and infants born too soon. With a special note on World Premature Day, she added: "With today being World Premature Day and our baby girl not only a premature baby, but especially the way she is right now, I really felt like it was so important to raise awareness about both because after the last few days I can safely say I will not be afraid to speak up and protect my babies in future if we're ever in the position instead of protecting someone else's feelings."
Her message to other parents was clear: "For anyone thats feeling or has felt the same as I did, please don't, you have every right to speak up to protect your baby from illness. Do whatever you can because I really wouldn't wish it on any baby, child or parent to go through after how rough the last few days have been."
She reminded parents of their responsibility: "They can't speak up for or protect themselves, it's our job as their parents to do it for them."
"Keep our angel in your prayers, she's a little fighter as she's shown us before but they all help and are all appreciated x".
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English (United States) ·