Help for Baby Rhys

On July 2nd, 2022 after a wonderful day playing with family, getting fun snacks and going to the movies, our 19 month old son Rhys had a tragic and completely freak accident. We had just blown a candle out and were getting ready for bed. Dad, Connor was in the downstairs washroom, big brother Jasper (5) was brushing his teeth upstairs & Rhys and his twin sister Phia were in the living room with mom, Tricia, who turned her back to let the dog outside. In the short time that mom’s back was turned, little Rhys, who must have smelled the smoke from the candle being blown out, pushed a chair up to the ledge, climbed on it, stood on his tippy toes and grabbed the candle. In a split second, and because of the angle that he grabbed the candle, the hot wax tipped towards his face and not only did the liquid wax run down his face, but unfortunately he must have gasped because of the heat and the shock, it went into his mouth and entered his lungs. Mom went into immediate action & started scooping out wax from his mouth while big brother Jasper (5) ran and got daddy. They made it to emergency in record time and Stars was called almost immediately. Unfortunately, due to weather once Stars arrived in Camrose with the team from Stollery, they were told they could not fly out as it was not safe due to weather. Rhys was intubated in Camrose and then ambulanced to Stollery where shortly after arrival, he crashed. They were able to stabilize him from the crash but the potential for damage to his brain from lack of oxygen is unknown and there is no way to know until he is able to breath on his own and be taken off the ventilator. He does have a pupilary response so we are all hopeful that when he is able to be taken off the vent and wake up that he will be ok and able to start his road to recovery.

The doctors have said this is the first time they’ve ever heard of or dealt with wax in the lungs, and have done a ton of research and made a ton of calls to try and find the best course of action. He’s had multiple bedside procedures to try and remove the wax from his lungs by flushing them, but because of the body’s natural temperature it’s tacky, and difficult to remove. That being said they have been successful in getting some of the wax out with the procedures and are hoping that once he stabilizes a bit more they may have other options available for procedures or treatment. He is in critical condition and we are in for a long road of recovery and are likely going to be in Edmonton for some time with our son.

Unfortunately, while this is the last thing anyone wants to stress about during a crisis, there are still bills to pay at home and mom and dad need to be by Rhys side, especially right now while he’s critical. So while this is really not an easy thing to do, we are asking for support and help. We are fortunate enough to have a place to stay at Ronald Macdonalds Childrens house, but a limited amount of paid time off for dad and no paid time off for mom which will make the next few months bills very difficult to manage alone. As difficult as it is to ask, there’s nothing we wouldn’t do for our children and our number one priority needs to be being with our son. We are beyond grateful for the help and support, and will update as we can.

As you can likely imagine this whole situation has been incredibly difficult and it is not helpful when non medical professionals make medical suggestions so we are kindly asking that you trust as we do that he is in the best hospital in Canada with the most advanced medicine available and the best trained professionals.

With all of our love and appreciation,

the Davidson family.