Support For the Leaver Family and Baby Ford

The week of August 15th, Ford developed a seemingly common cough that gradually worsened throughout the week. On Sunday, August 21st at 1 am, Kayleigh took a trip to the ER to have his irregular breathing when his symptoms did not improve. After over four hours in the ER and waiting on x-rays and test results, the Doctor finally diagnosed him with croup and sent them home to start him on a dose of steroids.

His primary Doctor then followed up with an assessment, which led them back into the ER for more tests and X-rays of his airways. Once there, things progress very fast and Ford began to quickly decline while a team of six doctors ran tests.

An emergency medi-flight to Madera Valley Children’s Hospital was ordered and Ford was intubated and sedated in the O.R. while they waited. Two hours later, the flight team arrived and Ford and Kayleigh were transferred to Madera Children’s hospital.

Upon arrival, more tests were run to determine the cause of Ford's quick decline. Ultimately, it was determined that Ford has both a viral and bacterial infection that are working "together" to cause his lungs to fill with mucous, his airways to close, and the partial collapse of his upper right lung. He was immediately started on steroids and antibiotics and after the first round failed, Doctors were finally able to determine a treatment that is now showing improvement in Ford's symptoms.

Although he is still in the PICU, Ford is working hard to get better and Kayleigh and Jeremy have been by his side, loving him through it all. Kayleigh has been at the hospital with Ford around the clock. Jeremy has also been off of work in order to care for their older daughter, Every.

This past week has been one the Leaver family could never have seen coming and never expected to be facing. Aside from the emotional burden of seeing their baby on ventilators working hard to survive and wondering what the outcome would be, this has also created a substantial burden on them financially, as they will now have extensive medical bills from their medi-flgiht, PICU stay, and lost wages.

Kayleigh and Jeremy are some of the most kind and giving people I know and as much as I know excepting help from others is not something they want, I know they would appreciate ANY amount of support to help them through this journey that is not yet over.

Ford and the Leaver family can use all the love, support, and prayers they can get right now and I know any amount of support they receive will bring them some comfort during this time.