Elijah and Isaac

Hi, my name is Roslyn and I am Bronwyn's sister and Jake's Sister-in-law. I am writing this real life story that has rocked Bronwyn and Jakes entire world over the last 7 weeks.

Bron and Jake had a stressful pregnancy with threatened labour at 28 weeks gestation as Isaac's growth was slowing , each week that Bron continued into the pregnancy was a blessing. Bron was so amazing and make it to 34 weeks. The boys were delivered in great condition at Newcastle Private Hospital (NPH) although Eli suffered respiratory distress and extreme low blood sugars shortly after delivery and had to be transferred to JHH. Two babies in separate locations and the worry set in. Jake and Bron made their way between hospitals for 1 week which was hard for Bron as she had a C-section. Eli took 5 days to come off CPAP and a few extra days off observation before he came back to being with the family at Newcastle Private.

The babies continued to grow and thrive. Jake has a electrical business- Firefly connections- his work was obviously been put on hold while he cared for Bron, the twins and Ella ( their gorgeous 2 year old). The twins finally discharged home. They spent the next 2 weeks at home. It all began when the twins had a temperature. Being premature and not even meant to be born yet, Bron and Jake took the boys to JHH ED where they had 2 failed lumbar punctures and sent to the ward on antibiotics, they spent 48 hrs there, told to have a virus and then sent home despite other concerns Bron and Jake had that were dismissed such as swelling and low oxygen levels.

Following this, 24hrs hrs later Bronwyn knew something wasn't right, Isaac had swelling over his body, an ambulance was called and he was rushed back to the JHH with hypothermia, high heart rate, increased breathing rate and unresponsive to stimuli.

Here Isaac was observed in ED and was told he would go to the ward despite Bronwyn again pleading for help and acknowledging that something was not right. It would be so upsetting and terrifying to watch your baby slipping away in front of you and no one listening to your concern.

I also was with Bron during this time and as a Nurse/ Midwife and Child nurse i knew something was very wrong and asked for numerous reviews including immediate cardiology review, this did not happen.

It was only when Bronwyn refused to go to the ward that they brought Paediatric intensive care down who immediately noted how unwell Isaac was and he was immediately airlifted at 4am to Westmead Childrens hospital with extreme inflammation of the heart which would could lead to heart failure if untreated. The next 24hrs got worse. Eli then also started showing the same symptoms and was rushed to Westmead Children's also in which he was diagnosed with Myocarditis and Vial meningitis.

They have now been in Westmead hospital close to 2 weeks.

As you can imagine the stress over the last 7 weeks has been immense and Jake has not been able to work.

As a business owner myself i couldn't imagine the added financial stress that this would cause.

If you can help out in any way it would be so helpful and Bron and Jake would be so grateful. The costs of no income, living away from home, and the ongoing follow-up and medical appointment with Cardiac echo's and numerous future Paediatric appointments to ensure the boys remain healthy and meet their milestones after this traumatic journey.

They are not out of the woods yet at remain at Westmead but the care has been absolutely phenomenal at Westmead and we will forever be grateful to the Paediatric Intensive care DR who came down at the JHH and organised immediate transfer to Westmead as the outlook would have been much different if Isaac was sent to the ward. Mothers instinct is a real thing!!!