How Leeds PICU helped Tony’s Grandchild Survive

A true story told by Emma Davis through the eyes of a mummy…

Reggie was born at 30weeks gestation weighing just 3lb 4oz. Other than been under cooked he was a healthy baby who just needed to grow!

Sadly, at 16weeks old, Reggie got Bronchiolitis and haemophilus influenzae which caused him to stop breathing. This was due to his lungs been premature.

Reggie was already in hospital at the time and was able to be intubated straight away. He was in a critical condition.

Embrace children's ambulance transferred Reggie to Leeds PICU within a few hours. He was then paralysed and placed on a ventilator. After a week of been on various strong drugs and respiratory physio daily his condition worsened. The staff acted quickly and placed Reggie on the last option available, an oscillator. After another very worrying week, 2 blood transfusions, more drugs there was finally a slight improvement and he was able to go back to been ventilated. After the third week of ventilation Reggie had finally "turned the corner" and was able to be extubated on vapour therm with the help of steroids.

He was transferred back to our local hospital for a few weeks to be weened off the drugs and oxygen and was finally allowed home after 6 long weeks in hospital. Whilst on PICU Reggie was given one to one, 24hour care by the most amazing nurses I have ever met. Reggie's life was in there hands. Within those 3weeks we were totally helpless with only Reggie’s fighting nature and the dedicated care of the PICU team been our chance. The care that was provided to Reggie and the support offered to our family was indescribable. They not only saved Reggie’s life but they supported everyone around him whilst doing this.

It's impossible to put into words how truly grateful we are to them for what they did for us.

Reggie is now nearly 4 years old, a beautiful healthy and happy boy who we will always treasure every moment with thanks to the amazing PICU team. Our little fighter.