Alby The Brave | Motherhood Photoshoot After Alby’s Skull Surgery

“At 6 weeks old, Alby was diagnosed with sagittal craniosynostosis, where his skull had fused prematurely. As his head and brain began to grow it formed a football shape.”

One word to describe Alby is brave.

The incredible resilience of mothers never ceases to inspire me. I had the honour of capturing Claire and Alby at their home recently, a visual testament to the immense journey they had just undertaken together.

Words by Mama Claire shared with her consent:

At 6 weeks old, Alby was diagnosed with sagittal craniosynostosis, where his skull had fused prematurely. As his head and brain began to grow it formed a football shape.

Living rural meant we needed to travel back and forth to Adelaide regularly for appointments with specialists.

He underwent a 5-hour Calvarial Vault Remodelling surgery at 8 months old, which successfully reshaped his skull. The surgery involved doctors taking apart his skull, removing pieces and reshaping it to be round. The anxious anticipation before the surgery was intense, I had many sleepless nights and vivid nightmares.

As soon as I met with the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit staff after his surgery I felt a huge weigh lift of my shoulders.

Alby was unable to open his eyes for four days due to swelling post-surgery. Despite swollen eyes, his resilience has amazed me. I am so proud of him.

When his eyes opened and some of the swelling went down I was in shock, where did my boy go? He looked so different, I cried every time I looked at him. I felt his eyes just looked so different, doctors assured me they didn’t touch his eyes and he still had some swelling. However, within a week, his transformation was remarkable, and his head now had a beautiful round shape.

What a journey we have been through.