Jayden

“These things can happen to anyone. They can happen at any time, and they can truly turn your world upside down.”

Parents Carra and Kyle were terrified when their 7-week-old baby Jayden suddenly got very sick, and they had to spend his first Christmas in hospital.

“We were very cautious, we were always washing our hands,” says Carra. “It just goes to show, a little fever to an adult, a little bit of a sore throat or cough is not little to a baby.”

In late December 2023 Jayden began getting congested and then started having trouble breathing, so Carra and Kyle made the 35-minute trip from their home in Dugald, Manitoba, to HSC Children’s Hospital Emergency. Health care teams quickly ran multiple tests, including a spinal tap to rule out meningitis, before diagnosing Jayden with RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) bronchiolitis – an infection of the small airways in the lungs.

RSV in children has been on the rise in Manitoba, particularly during winter months, and Carra remembers the hospital being very busy. Once Jayden was stable, he was sent home to rest and the family was asked to return first thing in the morning. When they arrived, Jayden stopped breathing altogether.

“It was like the movies. Six team members plus a doctor hurried in to get him breathing again,” says Carra. “I remember just after he had been resuscitated, even when the nurses were still working on him, the doctor took the time to reassure us and told us, ‘It’s going to be okay’.”

The HSC Children’s team used a device called a bag valve mask to help Jayden’s little lungs keep working. Then they spent time reassuring Carra and Kyle he would recover.

“I call them angels on earth, because they were so wonderful,” says Carra. “It was so busy, but we never once felt not heard or like we couldn’t ask questions. They took the time to explain everything to us.”

Jayden, Kyle and Carra spent six days and five nights at HSC Children’s Hospital – including Christmas while their older son Carson stayed with relatives – before Jayden could go home. On Christmas morning, the family woke up to decorations, gifts for Jayden and a handmade blanket, thanks to donors.

“They made the holiday as special as they could,” says Carra.

“You’re at the lowest of lows, and those small things at that time can make you feel better.”

Now, Jayden is thriving, and celebrated his first birthday early November 2024.

“He loves his brother, and he’s just happy,” says Carra. “He loves sitting and watching everyone and taking everything in. He’s a big observer.”

Carra says she and Kyle were blown away by the kindness of the staff at Children’s and donors’ generosity, and are thankful supporters continue to help families like theirs.

“It’s makes you feel like, we’re okay. We’re doing the right thing. We’re in the right place.”

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RSV and kids in Manitoba

Children younger than two years of age are most at risk of contracting severe RSV. There are a number of measures parents can take to protect their child’s health, the most important of which is ensuring they don’t interact with people experiencing cold-like symptoms.

The likelihood of getting sick is directly related to the number of personal interactions, including those between young children and people who may not know or acknowledge that they may be unwell (and who may be looking to hold and kiss the baby).

Advice for parents on how to treat their sick or injured child, as well as when and where to take them for care, can be viewed at KidCareMB.ca.

(Source: Shared Health)