The Fight for Elijah
Donation protected
Written by his Aunt Jamie Toomey
On March 13th, my nepew Elijah went to the hospital, because he was having severe head and neck pain. After running several tests he was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. The doctors started some strong antibiotics and pain medicine. This went on for several days. We then found out his kidneys were not functioning as they should and that his sodium levels in his body were dangerously low. The doctors decided to move him to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit overnight, so they could administor a stronger dosage of sodium and monitor his heart. The plan was to send him back to the regular unit the next day if all went well. That never happened. They were able to get his levels up slowly, but the pain in his head and neck were unbearable. Elijah was on very heavy pain meds and was in and out for several days. He was able to talk to us for short periods of time and make us all laugh, because that's what Elijah does. On Thursday we noticed some minor twitching on the right side of his body, but the doctors said it was all because of the swelling and infection in his brain. They did a MRI and we found out Elijah had a few clots on his brain and had several mini strokes. Despite this he started showing signs of improvement. On Thursday night we were all at the hospital with him and he was eating and talking to us like he normally would, despite the pain he had in his head and neck. We left the hospital and my sister stayed with him, as she has not left his side through all of this, even though Elijah told her to go. At 3:45 a.m. my sister called and told us to get to the hospital now. My mom and I drove up and when we arrived our world was shattered. Elijah was laying there unable to speak or move the left side of his body. My sister informed us that he went for a CT scan and he was fine and when they brought him back this was how he was. The doctors informed us that Elijah had a seizure while trying to do the CT, which ended up causing Elijah to have a stroke on the right side of his brain. We prayed and prayed for God to heal Elijah and get the help he needs to heal him. We watched him suffer all day with body thrashing on his right side. He has no control because the infection is so bad. Yesterday the doctors at Tallahassee Memorial decided there was nothing more they could do to help Elijah. My sister was informed of a hospital in Jacksonville that specializes in pediatric neurology and pediatric strokes. They said they would take Elijah as a patient. Elijah was unable to control his body and needed more tests, so the doctors decided to place him on a ventilator and sedate him. He was going to be airlifted last night, however the weather was too bad to get the helicopter up. The doctors called the hospital in Jacksonville which is 3 hours away and found out they had already sent an ambulance and would be here within the hour to pick him up. When the nurses and doctors at Wolfson Children's Hospital arrived to get Elijah, we instantly felt relief they would help heal him. My sister Summer and I drove 3 hours to Jacksonville. Elijah is still on a ventilator and sedated to keep him relaxed. They are running more tests with the best team of doctors and nurses. In the mean time my sister who is a single mother has used all of her vacation time from work. Starting next week she will not be paid while she is off work taking care of Elijah. Not to mention the cost of the mounting medical bills that insurance will not cover. Summer is the best mom anyone could ask for. Elijah and Ethan are her world. If anyone could please help donate to cover some of these extra expenses while Elijah is in his recovery process, would be greatly appreciated. I know Summer would be forever grateful. I will continue to keep everyone updated on Elijah's Fight!
On March 13th, my nepew Elijah went to the hospital, because he was having severe head and neck pain. After running several tests he was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. The doctors started some strong antibiotics and pain medicine. This went on for several days. We then found out his kidneys were not functioning as they should and that his sodium levels in his body were dangerously low. The doctors decided to move him to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit overnight, so they could administor a stronger dosage of sodium and monitor his heart. The plan was to send him back to the regular unit the next day if all went well. That never happened. They were able to get his levels up slowly, but the pain in his head and neck were unbearable. Elijah was on very heavy pain meds and was in and out for several days. He was able to talk to us for short periods of time and make us all laugh, because that's what Elijah does. On Thursday we noticed some minor twitching on the right side of his body, but the doctors said it was all because of the swelling and infection in his brain. They did a MRI and we found out Elijah had a few clots on his brain and had several mini strokes. Despite this he started showing signs of improvement. On Thursday night we were all at the hospital with him and he was eating and talking to us like he normally would, despite the pain he had in his head and neck. We left the hospital and my sister stayed with him, as she has not left his side through all of this, even though Elijah told her to go. At 3:45 a.m. my sister called and told us to get to the hospital now. My mom and I drove up and when we arrived our world was shattered. Elijah was laying there unable to speak or move the left side of his body. My sister informed us that he went for a CT scan and he was fine and when they brought him back this was how he was. The doctors informed us that Elijah had a seizure while trying to do the CT, which ended up causing Elijah to have a stroke on the right side of his brain. We prayed and prayed for God to heal Elijah and get the help he needs to heal him. We watched him suffer all day with body thrashing on his right side. He has no control because the infection is so bad. Yesterday the doctors at Tallahassee Memorial decided there was nothing more they could do to help Elijah. My sister was informed of a hospital in Jacksonville that specializes in pediatric neurology and pediatric strokes. They said they would take Elijah as a patient. Elijah was unable to control his body and needed more tests, so the doctors decided to place him on a ventilator and sedate him. He was going to be airlifted last night, however the weather was too bad to get the helicopter up. The doctors called the hospital in Jacksonville which is 3 hours away and found out they had already sent an ambulance and would be here within the hour to pick him up. When the nurses and doctors at Wolfson Children's Hospital arrived to get Elijah, we instantly felt relief they would help heal him. My sister Summer and I drove 3 hours to Jacksonville. Elijah is still on a ventilator and sedated to keep him relaxed. They are running more tests with the best team of doctors and nurses. In the mean time my sister who is a single mother has used all of her vacation time from work. Starting next week she will not be paid while she is off work taking care of Elijah. Not to mention the cost of the mounting medical bills that insurance will not cover. Summer is the best mom anyone could ask for. Elijah and Ethan are her world. If anyone could please help donate to cover some of these extra expenses while Elijah is in his recovery process, would be greatly appreciated. I know Summer would be forever grateful. I will continue to keep everyone updated on Elijah's Fight!
Organizer and beneficiary
Jamie Toomey
Organizer
Saint Joseph, MI
Elijah Toomey
Beneficiary