Our Story
Our son Preston was hospitalized when he was nine months
old. Preston developed a cold which turned into a nasty cough. We took him to a
Pediatric Urgent Care facility. He was diagnosed with croup. Preston received a
breathing treatment and steroids to help him breathe. We were advised that if
he develops stridor to go to an emergency room. We took him home that night and
watched him very closely.
The next day Preston didn’t seem to make and progress. Later in the evening Preston developed stridor and we took him to a local emergency room. The doctors were less than satisfactory and basically sent us home. We were told there was nothing that could be done and to take him home and watch him. So we returned home scared and not really knowing what was about to happen. It was a very long night and we did not sleep well that night. Constantly getting up during the night and checking on him to see if he was ok.
On February 1st the next morning Preston’s breathing took a turn for the worst. He was having trouble breathing and was not as active as he normally was. We took him to Banner Thunderbird Emergency Room. He was immediately taken back to a room. I remember seeing the concern on the nurse’s face as we quickly walked him to his emergency room. Soon our little baby was surrounded by IVs, breathing masks, breathing machines, tubes, oxygen masks, and blood draws. In that sudden moment I as a parent felt completely helpless and I wished that I was in that bed instead of this sweet baby boy, Preston.
Doctors tried helium to see if that could help the swelling; I can’t remember how many huge green metal helium tanks we went through that morning. After no avail, the doctors said we need to admit him to see if they could figure out what was causing this. Preston was admitted to the PICU. The staff met us and could not be more comforting. I am sure I was a basket case, but they were so nice and understanding. A respiratory specialist was called and decided they needed to perform a bronchoscope. After signing the consents we sat in a waiting room, which seemed for hours. Doctors also suggested that we place him on a ventilator to help him breathe. The waiting room was full of family and close friends as we just wait and see what happens. After what seemed like an eternity the doctor came back and said Preston’s air ways are so swollen and inflamed. The airways were narrowed down to the size of a coffee straw.
We were able to see Preston after these procedures were done. We walked in his hospital room holding hands, we as parents saw a sight no parent should ever have to see. We saw monitors, IV bags, wires, and tube all surrounding our sedated little baby.
Days went by and a PICC line was placed to help administer medicine better. We were waiting for the swelling to go down but nothing was really happening. A week went by, no changes, no news, nothing. Nurses suggested we bring some items from home to place in bed next to Preston.
The next day Preston didn’t seem to make and progress. Later in the evening Preston developed stridor and we took him to a local emergency room. The doctors were less than satisfactory and basically sent us home. We were told there was nothing that could be done and to take him home and watch him. So we returned home scared and not really knowing what was about to happen. It was a very long night and we did not sleep well that night. Constantly getting up during the night and checking on him to see if he was ok.
On February 1st the next morning Preston’s breathing took a turn for the worst. He was having trouble breathing and was not as active as he normally was. We took him to Banner Thunderbird Emergency Room. He was immediately taken back to a room. I remember seeing the concern on the nurse’s face as we quickly walked him to his emergency room. Soon our little baby was surrounded by IVs, breathing masks, breathing machines, tubes, oxygen masks, and blood draws. In that sudden moment I as a parent felt completely helpless and I wished that I was in that bed instead of this sweet baby boy, Preston.
Doctors tried helium to see if that could help the swelling; I can’t remember how many huge green metal helium tanks we went through that morning. After no avail, the doctors said we need to admit him to see if they could figure out what was causing this. Preston was admitted to the PICU. The staff met us and could not be more comforting. I am sure I was a basket case, but they were so nice and understanding. A respiratory specialist was called and decided they needed to perform a bronchoscope. After signing the consents we sat in a waiting room, which seemed for hours. Doctors also suggested that we place him on a ventilator to help him breathe. The waiting room was full of family and close friends as we just wait and see what happens. After what seemed like an eternity the doctor came back and said Preston’s air ways are so swollen and inflamed. The airways were narrowed down to the size of a coffee straw.
We were able to see Preston after these procedures were done. We walked in his hospital room holding hands, we as parents saw a sight no parent should ever have to see. We saw monitors, IV bags, wires, and tube all surrounding our sedated little baby.
Days went by and a PICC line was placed to help administer medicine better. We were waiting for the swelling to go down but nothing was really happening. A week went by, no changes, no news, nothing. Nurses suggested we bring some items from home to place in bed next to Preston.
I grabbed some blankets and some soft toys. I then grabbed
two homemade pillows a friend’s mother made for Preston when he was born. I
brought my items and placed them in his bed. A nurse came in and fell in love
with the pillows. She asked if I had more at home. She instantly used the
pillows and used them to position him in bed and made him more comfortable. My
mom and I looked at each other and this is how Pillows from Preston was
founded. We asked the nurses if they would use them for other patients and they
said “yes.” My mother and I wasted no time with pillow making. We would sit in
Prestons’ room and stuff pillows to pass the time.
After about a week of no changes the doctors decided to extubate Preston to see what happens. At first Preston was crabby of course. Then he started to want a bottle. Things started to look like we were actually on the right track for healing. Bryan and I were finally able to hold Preston and things were starting to look better. Well later that night Preston’s breathing took a turn and we unfortunately had to re-intubate him and place him on the ventilator again. Another bronchoscope was performed and it revealed a lesion in his air ways that would need to be removed.
The next morning we were transported by a critical care ambulance to Cardon Children’s Hospital in Mesa. The staff was very comforting and supportive. We were settled in when we were told that the surgery would take place the following day. Surgery was performed ahead of schedule and everything went great. Preston was taken off the ventilator a day after surgery. He was doing great. He seemed to be able to breathe with ease.
After about a week of no changes the doctors decided to extubate Preston to see what happens. At first Preston was crabby of course. Then he started to want a bottle. Things started to look like we were actually on the right track for healing. Bryan and I were finally able to hold Preston and things were starting to look better. Well later that night Preston’s breathing took a turn and we unfortunately had to re-intubate him and place him on the ventilator again. Another bronchoscope was performed and it revealed a lesion in his air ways that would need to be removed.
The next morning we were transported by a critical care ambulance to Cardon Children’s Hospital in Mesa. The staff was very comforting and supportive. We were settled in when we were told that the surgery would take place the following day. Surgery was performed ahead of schedule and everything went great. Preston was taken off the ventilator a day after surgery. He was doing great. He seemed to be able to breathe with ease.
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We were actually released from PICU and transferred to a pediatrics floor. This was an exciting day. We knew he was progressing and things were looking better. We spent a total of seventeen days in the hospital with our son Preston. Looking at him today, you would never know just how sick he really was. We are honored to be making these pillows for sick infants and children. It is our way of giving back to the community and giving thanks for all the wonderful individuals we met along the way to help keep Preston healthy. Thank you just doesn’t seem like enough to the doctors, nurses, and technicians that worked as a team to save Preston.