Our sweet baby Easton has always been the happiest little boy — full of smiles, love, and light. There were no warning signs, nothing that would have led us to believe anything was wrong. Just our happy, easygoing baby.

Last week, on Tuesday the 8th, Easton cried for nearly 8 hours straight. We assumed it was teething since there were no other symptoms. We called the 24-hour nurse hotline, who suggested it might be an ear infection and to see our pediatrician the next morning.

At the appointment, we were told it was likely just teething. There was a little redness around his ear, but nothing alarming. The doctor explained there was too much wax to see clearly and didn’t want to prescribe antibiotics without a visible infection. We were told it would pass, and trusted that.

Easton is always so happy, always smiling — which made it even harder to believe something more serious was going on.

By Thursday the 16th, something was visibly wrong with his ear/bone behind the ear. A close friend saw his ear and immediately urged us to go to the ER, warning it could be something much more serious. We went that night & waited 6 hours to see a Dr. Immediately the Dr told us not to give him anymore food because she knew Easton needed surgery.

Easton had an ear infection that went completely unnoticed. It had spread to the bone and began to eat away at it, coming dangerously close to reaching his brain. He was admitted Friday morning and underwent emergency surgery to drain 5 mL of infected fluid.

We stayed in the hospital from Thursday the 16th until Monday the 20th, right by his side every second. Watching Easton go through this was heartbreaking to say the least!

We are beyond grateful we caught it when we did and that Easton is now getting the care he needs. But this experience has taken a deep emotional and financial toll. Between emergency medical care, surgery, hospital stays, and time off work to be there for him, the costs have quickly added up.

It’s not easy for us to ask for help — in fact, we feel embarrassed. We know this is our responsibility as parents, and we would never reach out if this was something we could handle on our own. We know this is a BIG ask and don’t expect to meet the full goal — we’re grateful for anything at all. But right now, we truly could use the support!

Any donation, no matter the size, or a share of Easton’s story will go directly toward Easton’s medical expenses. And would mean the WORLD to us.

Thank you for loving our boy and the constant prayers

Jeremiah 30: 17