A Scots tot taken to hospital with suspected coup was saved by doctors when they discovered a deadly genetic disorder.
William was 18 months old when he was referred to hospital in July 2021 with a suspected case of croup - a childhood condition which affects the throat and voice box.
Mum Lisajane and dad Richard took the toddler to A&E where he was accessed by specialist doctors who told them that their son had a severe case of tonsillitis. The concerned parents were told to stay in Glasgow Children's hospital until William's tonsils could be removed.
But alarm bells started ringing on hospital machines during the night when the toddler's oxygen became dangerously low and he was soon diagnosed with deadly genetic disorder Tracheomalacia.
Speaking about the night mum Lisajane said: "William was regularly monitored through the evening and before going to sleep, all of his observations appeared normal.
"Upon falling asleep, however, the room filled with noise as every alarm you could imagine began blaring. No matter what readjustments were made, the machines kept going off and William's oxygen levels remained dangerously poor.
"The decision was made to put William on some oxygen and to remove his tonsils once it was safe to do so."
Doctors were forced to take William to theatre days later as his oxygen levels continued to drop.
Lisajane continued: "We waited nervously up on the ward for hours. Eventually, three of William's surgeons came up to speak to us and said the words no parent ever wants to hear: “it was more complicated than we thought, your baby is on a ventilator. I am so sorry”.
The doctors explained that William had tonsillitis, adenovirus, pneumonia, 2 types of Covid, strep B and, most dangerously, that he had been born with Laryngomalacia and a genetic disorder called Tracheomalacia. The disorder is known to affect the throat and airways and can be deadly for children.
Due to his infections and his small size, it was deemed too risky to complete the tonsillectomy and their priority became to stabilise his airway.
"When they took me to see him in PICU, it was the saddest sight I have ever laid my eyes on and something that will never leave me", said Lisajane.
The surgery went well and William was soon able to return home with his parents. Tragedy again struck in January 2022 as the toddler began struggling to breathe.
Mum Lisajane and dad Richard rushed him back to the Children's hospital where they were told he would need to have his tonsils and adenoids removed.
Lisajane continued: "William began showing some unusual breathing patterns and disturbed sleep and he was readmitted to have his tonsils and adenoids removed."
William has since had the all-clear from doctors. Unfortunately for the doting mum and dad, their son Niall, who was born in June 2022, was diagnosed with the same genetic disorder as his big brother.
Lisajane said: "When William's little brother Niall was born in June 2022, it was discovered that he also suffers from the same conditions as William. Wee Niall underwent his first surgery at just 11 weeks old."
Niall will need to have his airways reviewed in future and will need to have his tonsils and adenoids removed to decrease the risk of obstructive breathing.
Mum Lisajane and Dad Richard have decided to take on this year's Glasgow Kiltwalk to raise money for the children's hospital as a thank-you for the care their children received. Speaking about the walk Lisajane said: "The charity have been a great support to our family throughout our time in hospital.
"It's extremely important to us to support the hospital in any way we can so that other families can benefit from the incredible care and support that we've experienced.' I'm feeling a bit nervous about the distance we'll be covering as I've had a baby less than a year ago, but I'm enjoying the training so far and it's reminding me just how far we’ve come as a family!"
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