Paxton

Having a baby who is critically ill can feel isolating, but for parents Kelsey and Mark, the care they received at HSC Children’s Hospital made all the difference.

Throughout their son Paxton’s journey, they found support, compassion, and a team dedicated to helping them make the most of the time they had together.

“Although Paxton’s life was short, he made a major impact on our lives and we want to share his story to honour him,” says Kelsey.

“If his story impacts someone going through a similar experience or encourages someone to support the Children’s Hospital in any way, it is a tribute to his memory.”

Kelsey and Mark found out Paxton would need cardiac care during a fetal assessment when Kelsey was pregnant, but they wouldn’t know the severity of his case until Paxton was born.

Just two hours after Paxton entered the world, he had an echocardiogram and CT scan. Soon after, a cardiologist delivered the heartbreaking news that Paxton’s condition was severe and he likely wouldn’t survive. Still, Kelsey and Mark were determined to give their son the best chance at life.

After a brief stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at HSC Children’s, Paxton was flown to Edmonton. There, specialists confirmed he had a hole in his heart and severely underdeveloped arteries.

Over the following weeks, Paxton had numerous tests and procedures as doctors worked to better understand his complex condition. Then, at just two weeks old, doctors performed open-heart surgery to place a shunt that would increase blood flow to Paxton’s arteries and encourage their growth.

After nearly two months in Edmonton, the family returned to Winnipeg where Paxton’s care continued in the NICU at HSC Children’s. Multiple teams worked together to help prepare Paxton and his family for life outside the hospital.

“The NICU became like a second home to us,” says Kelsey. “The nurses were amazing and always willing to go the extra mile to help us understand Paxton’s care.”

When Paxton was three months old, Kelsey and Mark were finally able to bring him home under the close supervision of his health care team. Life with Paxton involved many medications, tube feedings, and constant monitoring of his oxygen levels.

At six months old, Paxton had another CT scan. Results showed that his arteries were not growing as they hoped, and doctors determined there was nothing else that could be done. Despite the devastating news, Kelsey and Mark focused on making as many memories with Paxton as possible.

With the support of Paxton’s care teams, the family embraced every opportunity to spend time together. They visited their family cottage, travelled to Kenora and Gimli, attended community events, and celebrated Paxton’s first birthday. Paxton loved watching Disney movies, being outside, and going for walks in his wagon.

Paxton passed away in November 2023 at 19 months old, and his family cherishes each moment they had with their brave boy. Paxton has two younger brothers, Rex who was able to spend a month with Paxton before he passed and Onyx, who will get to know his older brother through family memories.

Kelsey and Mark honour Paxton’s life by participating in the Million Reasons Run each year to raise funds for Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, where researchers collaborate to help prevent and treat childhood illness.

“We will always support and give back when we can, as HSC Children’s supported us when we needed them the most,” says Kelsey.

“With the help of supporters, we received amazing care at Children’s, and it showed in every aspect of our journey. From equipment like NICU beds and vein finders, to the library program that allowed some sense of normalcy—all these little things truly had a major impact to ensure we could focus on our time with our son.”