How This Began...

This is Kayden.

Kayden was born on October 20, 2012.  Even though he was 4 1/2 weeks early, he was bigger and healthier than anyone expected.

He did have to spend 5 days in the NICU getting his little lungs adjusted to the world, but before we knew it, he was healthy, happy and at home with his family.

He even got to celebrate Halloween with us.  

After that Kayd and I had a few weeks while I was off of work to just get to know each other, get used to our new schedule and for our whole family to enjoy our newest member.  

As you might expect, the weekend before I went back to work got a little hectic, especially considering it was also the weekend before Thanksgiving.  To add to the chaos of potty training, babysitter scheduling, holiday planning and breastfeeding, Maxon, my 3-year-old, got an awful cold.  

We visited our PCP Monday for Maxon's cough and AGAIN Wednesday because Kayd started coughing, even though we were told on Monday that he was less at-risk of catching the cold since he was breastfeeding.  The same doctor that assured of his low risk of catching Max's cold sent us home Wednesday with no diagnosis for Kayden.  

Now here's where things get scary.

Our newborn Kayden, only 4 weeks old, stopped breathing on us twice Thursday morning.  Grey/blue coloring, glossy eyes, lifeless, the whole scary bit. We literally dropped everything and rushed to the hospital and within 30 min of swabbing his nose results were back that he had RSV, a respiratory infection that is common, terrifying and sometimes fatal.  To an adult, or even 3-year-old Max, this is just a simple winter cold.  To Kayden, it's an all-out battle for his premature, newborn body to fight.  

During our two visits that week, the doctor never mentioned this virus or offered testing or prevention for it. If she had, I might not be sitting in the PICU with him right now writing this.  We have been at CCMC since Thursday morning with Kayd on a ventilator. They estimate an additional 4-7 days with the breathing tube from today. There are no medication to treat this virus, it has to just run its course as we give him respiratory support along the way.  I can't explain how awful this is, and how in fear I've been for my baby's life. 

My goal with this blog is to help inform any parent who is not aware of how serious this is.  If this blog informs just one family, it will be worth my effort. No child should have to go through this and no parent should have to sit by and watch. Send some prayers for Kayden, and keep your kids safe and healthy this winter! 

♥ Melissa & Kayden