Tanas Road to Recovery!

Four weeks ago, Tana developed cold-like symptoms and had to be picked up from daycare - where he had only been for a month as Emily had just returned to work. For a few days he battled this illness as well as any 1 year old could. He steadily got worse over next few days, becoming lethargic and extremely sleepy. Tana didn't even want to be woken up to eat, so he was taken to emergency - something was wrong.

After spending the night in ED it was clear to the doctors and nurses that something was very wrong when Tana refused to open his eyes - they just couldn’t figure out what it was. All of the obs and tests including chest X-ray, bloods, urine, CT scan so far were fine. After returning to ED, with no answers, Tana was sent to the ward. The ward nurse was too concerned for him in this state so called for the doctors immediately. One of the paediatric doctors said she wouldn’t leave him till he was in ICU.

Down in ICU they sedated and intubated Tana to get an MRI (check brain) and lumbar puncture (check for bacterial meningitis)

After the tests and scans the doctors told Emily and Harley that Tana has a disorder called ADEM (Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis) an autoimmune condition that often occurs after a child has an infection, such as a cold. Autoimmune diseases confuse the body's immune system. Instead of fighting against bacteria or viruses, it attacks healthy cells and tissues. It’s a neurological disorder characterized by brief but widespread attacks of inflammation (swelling) in the brain and spinal cord that damages myelin.

After 3 days a repeat MRI was done and the inflammation had gotten worse. After 10 scary days in total in ICU, 4 plasmapheresis treatments, IVIG, different steroids, EEG that showed seizures, many medications, multiple doctors and a round the clock ICU nurse - Tana started to regain consciousness briefly looking at us. After that, Tana was sent to the ward to begin the healing process. Thankfully, he’s now in the rehab team where he’ll work closely with OTs, Physios, Speech Pathologists and rehab doctors. This is a long and slow road though, which could potentially take months.

Emily and Harley are just like any young couple, raising their children and providing what they need and want. The financial impact of Tanas illness weighs heavily on this family for the next coming weeks/ months. Currently, as Tana can not leave hospital: Emily stays with Tana in the day while Harley goes to work. After work Harley comes to the hospital so Emily can go home to shower and say hi to the other kids then comes back to hospital to sleep. Emily will not be able to return to work right now, leaving them with only one income. Donations allow Emily to be with Tana for his recovery every step of the way.

Please leave a message of hope and encouragement, if you can’t donate at this time, as Emily and Harley have been able to draw strength from these messages, to push through. What ever isn't used will go towards the Starlight Childrens foundation.

Message from Emily and Harley:

“We would like to say a big THANKYOU to our village who have just shown up for our family. The love and support we have received warms our heart. To be able to focus on Tana boy and know that Sonny, Ellie and the home duties have been taken care of has been such a relief. Thankyou ❤️”

Should you wish for any more details please reach out to Rhiannon Hicks.