A family's story – Dave and Tara Bouch

Imagine your child is rushed to hospital and you find yourself hundreds of miles from home in a strange city. This was the nightmare come true for a family that stayed in the Ronald McDonald House Bristol.

Dave and Tara Bouch’s life was turned upside down and within hours of being told the devastating news that their seven-year-old daughter Tegen has a twist in her bowel, the family were rushed to the Bristol Royal Hospital For Children for her to undergo an emergency operation. Thoughts of leaving their home in Truro, Cornwall, were put aside as Dave and Tara faced an agonising wait while Tegen was in theatre. “With only half an hour’s warning we did not have much time to pack or prepare ourselves,” remembers Tara. “After a four-hour operation that day we where told that things had gone to plan and that Tegen had come through the operation well. However, she needed to stay in hospital for at least a week. It was only then that we started to think where we would stay the night?”

Staff at the hospital put Dave and Tara in touch with the team at the Ronald McDonald House, Bristol, just metres away from where Tegen lay in hospital. Tara says: “It was such a relief on an occasion when things took a downward turn that no matter how late or early it was you were able to catch up on some sleep to be strong for the next day. During that first stay in hospital, the new Ronald McDonald House opened and we were privileged to be one of the first parents to stay in this fantastic place.” There were still some tough times ahead for the Bouch family as Tegen had to have three further operations and a colostomy. Once again the couple stayed at the House, which helped to lift their spirits.

Dave adds: “When we stayed in a B&B we were right across the other side of town and we were a long way away from Tegen if we were needed. At the RMH it’s good to know that there is a phone in your room that takes you straight through to her bed. “Everything was there and it really was home away from home. The place was first class. It gave us time to ourselves and time to relax in the kitchen. It is comforting to meet other parents in the same situation. After sitting by a hospital bed for 10-15 hours, it’s really nice to talk to someone rather then go to your bedroom and dwell on it all.” 

Within 12 months, Tegen visited Bristol five times and each time the Ronald McDonald House was able to help her parents out. After a couple of out-patient appointments, the final one on 15 January 2004, Tegen’s condition had improved and the future is looking brighter. And as Tegen faces more follow-up surgery later this year, Tara and Dave are reassured that the RMH will be there to support them. “Without some excellent nurses and friends we have made along the way we could not have got through all this,” adds Tara. “It is not until times become really difficult that you realise just how important charities like RMHC are.”