GOING HOME: Ronan Foley pictured with medical staff as he prepares to leave Crumlin Children's Hospital to return home in time for Christmas.

By Michelle Crean

It was the best present the Foley family could have ever wished for - having Ronan home in time for Christmas. The 15-year-old, who underwent hours of spinal surgery weeks ago to correct a 130 degree curve in his spine which he had waited almost two years for - finally got his wish to be at home with his family by Christmas.

His father Tony this week told the Killarney Advertiser that "it's like a weight has been lifted" off of the family.

"Each day he's getting better and better," Tony said. "It's like a fog has lifted for us. His weight is up to what it was before and he's singing again. He's back to his old self and we couldn't have asked for more."

Ronan underwent the operation three weeks ago, but is recovering faster than the family ever expected.
"He's is a bit sore but he's doing really well. He's now sitting up straight for up to two hours a day."

Tony explained that Ronan now has a 25 to 30 degree curve in his spine following the procedure.

"It's undetectable. It was 130 degrees when he got the surgery done - we only found this out the day after his operation."

It's now hoped, depending on restrictions in place and Ronan's progress that he can go back to St Francis Special School in the New Year.

"It's all COVID dependent. He'll have six weeks recovery by then and he has an appointment to review everything in Crumlin in January," Tony said.

And he added that he'd like to thank everyone who helped them publicise their campaign for 'Ronan's Op Now'.

"There's too many to thank individually but we couldn't have done it without everyone's support. Also, a huge thanks to Pat Kiely, Ronan's surgeon, and all his team in Crumlin."