When you think about Christmas Eve, as a parent, you think about seeing the eyes of your children light up with excitement, their busy bodies hard to settle down because they just can't wait for the big day! Unfortunately that spirit and wonder was missing this year for Valerie as she frantically was searching for answers to why her 6 year old son, Rylan was so incredibly sick. With a misdiagnosis of croup, he wasn't getting better. While children were laying out milk and cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve, Rylan was suffering and his mom frantically brought him to Cape Cod Hospital's ER. This wasn't enough to help him. He needed more help. Unable to even open one gift, his weakened body continued to decline and the day after Christmas, he was Med flighted to Tufts in Boston. With a diagnosis of both bacterial and viral pneumonia, and a respiratory system overloaded with inflammation, he went in for surgery and has had a chest tube placed to drain the large amounts of pus from his lung. Now, sedated, he is on very strong IV antibiotics fighting this infection.
Valerie is a single mom. Luckily the medical bills are covered by her insurance, HOWEVER...she has missed and will be missing A LOT of work to be by her baby boy's side. They also have not had Christmas yet. I am asking our friends and community to come to HER side and show her that she is not alone and we are here to help, and when super hero Rylan kicks this virus' butt, there will be a BIG Christmas waiting for him! Cape Cod is well known as a community that unites for our own. Let's keep the spirit of Christmas alive for Rylan and Valerie! PLEASE pray! If you have never prayed before, just say a prayer like this:
Dear Jesus,
We ask you to touch this baby's body. Lay your mighty healing hands over him and protect him with your armor. Provide peace and comfort to his mother and give her the strength she needs to keep going. Bless them Lord. We pray as a community in your name, AMEN.