New ultrasound popular

Young Matthew Ryken has been poked by the experts – but even they miss.

The Botany Downs Secondary College student is among the first Starship children’s hospital patients to benefit from equipment bought with Round the Bays funds – and that will mean fewer misses.

Matthew, 15, has spent a lot of time in Starship because of chest infections and complications from cystic fibrosis and diabetes.

He is admitted at least once a year for a chest infection, most recently last month, and must endure a PICC – peripherally inserted central catheter – in his arm to deliver drugs.

To make sure the catheter goes where it should, he has always had it inserted under general anaesthetic. But thanks to an $85,000 portable ultrasound machine that’s a thing of the past.

"It’s kind of like being pregnant. You get the gel and then they rub this thing over your arm and you can see these pictures of all the veins in it," Matthew says.

"Because they can see, it makes it heaps more comfortable to have the lines put in."

Matthew’s mother Bonice is familiar with all the procedures.

"I don’t know much about the machine but I do know the anaesthetist was over the moon about it, and that’s good enough for me.

"Because Matthew is diabetic, having him go ‘nil-by-mouth’ as you have to before a general anaesthetic is risky," she says.

"It can upset his blood sugar levels."

Matthew is in hospital for two or three weeks at a time having antibiotic treatment and says boredom is the biggest problem.

"I’ve been doing this at least once a year since I was born and you tend to get a bit sick of it."

But it’s not boring enough to have the Chelsea-supporting football fan keen to return to school.

"There’s only about eight days to go and then I get off to prepare for exams."

Round the Bays is organised by Fairfax Media – the owners of this newspaper – and proceeds from the event are returned to the com-munity through a number of donations.

Funds from this year’s event helped Hearing House, Middle-more’s neo-natal intensive care facility, the Gifted Kids Programme and now Starship. Well over $200,000 was donated.

"We are so grateful to Fairfax," says Starship Foundation head Andrew Young.

"It will bring so many benefits for patients like Matthew. Every day I see the amazing things we can do here thanks to businesses and the public, and that is humbling and inspiring."

He says the new generation ultrasound is particularly beneficial to smaller patients – like the children at Starship.

"The current portable is in constant demand so this new unit will ensure greater availability."

Meanwhile Matthew is just glad to be home with mum and his younger brother Ben.

"I’ll be at Round the Bays next year. This doesn’t stop me doing things, it’s just that I run out of puff sooner than other people."

Fairfax Media spokesman David Kemeys says it’s a pleasure to meet the people the funds help.

"When you see how much good is done off the back – or feet, as it were – of all those who take part, it makes it all worthwhile."

Next year’s Round the Bays takes place on March 14.

- © Fairfax NZ News