A father today spoke for the first time about how a doctor saved his baby daughter’s life with pineapple JUICE – bought from the hospital vending machine.
Mark Beale, 37, has revealed how newborn Daisy May was brought back from the brink of death with a swift purchased from the canteen.
The tot was nearly 13 weeks premature at 2lb 4oz and shortly afterwards her weight dropped to just 1lb 6oz.
Tests revealed she had a congealed mass of protein in her tiny belly which was creating more complications.
The family feared the worst but a doctor simply asked Mark to buy some pineapple juice from the hospital vending machine.
He fed her the juice which broke down the protein that had built up inside her- saving Daisy’s life.
Mark has now spoken for the first time about the quick-thinking actions of the medic at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, Devon.
Mark, of Plymouth, said: ”Who would have thought that a carton of pineapple juice from a vending machine could save a baby’s life?
“My beautiful daughter was born nearly 13 weeks early and was a poorly little girl. The doctor looking after Daisy surprised us all by asking for some pineapple juice.
“I can remember walking from ward to ward buying all of the pineapple juice I could get my hands on.
“Even the doctors agreed that my girl was extremely special, with her story being written as part of an article for medical students.”
Daisy, now ten, was born in December 2004 but because of her size was unable to digest milk properly.
She continued to have stomach problems, and doctors suspected she had a twisted stomach or tumour.
But tests revealed Daisy had a mass of protein and was given pineapple juice for the next six weeks at hospitals in Bristol and Plymouth and finally allowed home.
Her dad is now climbing Africa’s highest peak to raised funds for the charity Bliss during his Mount Kilimanjaro challenge.
Mark is currently training for the expedition, which will see him scale the mountain over the course of 11 days starting on October 17.
Mark’s current target is to raise £4,300 – £2,300 cost of the climb and a minimum donation to Bliss of £2,000.
To donate visit http://www.justgiving.com/
