Helping Colton

Colton was born January 15th, 2019, to Jessica and Dallas. My sister Jessica was induced at 37 weeks, because the baby wasn't growing well and the doctors figured he would be better out than in. He came out 5lbs 10oz and was struggling a bit to breathe, so NICU was called in and he was brought back and put on CPAP. After less than a day he was taken off of CPAP, but was soon diagnosed with a VSD (ventricular septal defect) and two more small holes in his heart. He spent 5 days in NICU and was sent home. 2 days later he was admitted back to NICU for breathing issues and spent another 5 days before being sent home again. Around this time Colton started having "noisy breathing" and retractions, but they were told by his pediatrician that it was "his normal". At 3 weeks old they traveled to London to see a cardiologist to monitor the VSD. At 2 months old they traveled to St. Thomas for hearing tests as Colton had failed the ones Windsor had done so far. They weren't able to complete it and had to return 2 weeks later. A few days later they traveled back to London again to see the cardiologist and found out that the VSD was likely to close on it's own, and not cause any issues. Shortly after that they returned to St. Thomas where Colton was diagnosed as "profoundly deaf" and told that he would need hearing aids, and eventually qualify for a cochlear implant. 

On April 16th Colton started with a cold. They brought him to the ER and he was admitted on high flow oxygen. He spent 9 days in Windsor hospital, one of those on ICU, but was unable to be weaned off of oxygen as he kept desating. He was getting worse,  and working hard to breathe while on high flow oxygen. On Wednesday  April 24th, Colton aspirated his formula. His feeds were stopped and he had an NG tube put in. At this point Windsor still had not given a diagnosis. Late afternoon London hospital was contacted and it was decided that they would send a team down to pick him up and bring them there. Colton was placed on CPAP again, and was transported to London with lights, with a nurse, a respiratory therapist and two paramedics. Jessica, Dallas, and Grandma followed behind. 

Colton remained in the Pedicatric Critical Care Unit on CPAP for two days, where the Doctors diagnosed him with bacterial pneumonia. He was started on antibiotics and was soon able to come off of the CPAP onto oxygen. He was seen by an ENT who did a bedside scope to look into why his breathing was so noisy, where the ENT found shortened ligaments in his throat. They started acid reflux meds for GERD. After 3 days in PCCU he was moved to the peds floor where he was seen by a respirologist who suspected that Colton had a "vascular ring", which is a defect where a blood vessel forms around the trachea and/or esophagus. This was confirmed with CT scan and xray, and at this point doctors in Toronto were contacted. Today, Monday May 13th, Colton once again had an NG tube inserted, as he is working so hard to breathe that feeding is taking longer and he has started to lose weight. He's no longer eating the amount he should, and is working too hard to take in the bit that he is. Today it was also decided that on Wednesday of this week (the 15th), that Colton will be transported to Toronto Sick Kids Hospital where he will undergo further testing, and eventually surgery to correct the vascular ring. 

Thru this time Jessica and our mother Bev have been by his side. Dallas travels back and forth for work, as he is their only source of income. Unfortunately Dallas does not qualify for any type of paid leave, so he has no choice but to work as they still have rent to pay, other household bills and the expenses incurred with Colton's hospital stays. Gas prices are insanely high right now, and Dallas deserves to be at his babys side as much as possible. I am starting this fundraiser in hopes that we, as a community can give Jess and Dallas a little bit less to worry about while they take care of their baby. Colton is the sweetest, most pleasant tempered baby and he deserves the world. They've been thru so much already, and all funds raised would go to transportation costs, rent and bills, meals when needed and hotels if it comes down to it (Ronald McDonald House has been fantastic so far! But there is a wait list in Toronto at this time). Anythinf leftover will be put aside for future appointments, and possibly his hearing aids as only a portion is covered by the government.If you can donate, please do. If you cannot, PLEASE spread the word. If you pray, or believe in any higher power... please put in a good word. As scary as this has been, London has been fantastic in diagnosing what Windsor has not, and once this is done and over with hopefully Jess and Dallas can start enjoying their sweet boy without having to worry about his breathing or other medical issues. There is a light at the end, if you could please support them on their way to getting there, our family would appreciate it!