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| It all started in the month of November 1992, when I was just three months old. My Mom & Dad noticed I had a low fever and signs of trembling on occasion. They immediately called our family physician and were told to come in right away. The doctor checked all my vital signs, my ears, my throat, and after he listened to my heartbeat, he excused himself from the room, stating he would return in a minute. |
| He came back to tell us that he had just talked to a pediatrician from MSA Hospital and that we all need to meet him there as soon as possible. Not knowing what was going on, my parents & I drove there as fast as we could. While we were waiting to see the doctor, the only thing that I remember at the time, was loud noises, like bells ringing and a sound like a siren from a fire truck. All sorts of different people in funny uniforms came running towards us and my parents were yelling ' He's not breathing !!' |
| Someone scooped me up from my mom's arm and took me into another room. They said I was having a seizure, one after another, and that medicine would help slow them down. I was so scared as all these strange people were poking me with needles and drawing my blood. After a while the seizures slowed down and I wasn't having them as often, but I was to stay in the hospital until the test results came back. |
| Two days went by and my doctor called Children's Hospital in Vancouver. They wanted me to come there so they could do more tests but only if the Infant Transport Team came to pick me up...so they did. I have never been in an ambulance before and it was kind of neat. My mom rode with me too, as I knew she wanted to. |
| As I lay there in my hospital bed, lifeless...I can hear my parents crying. I knew my mom wanted to hold me but she couldn't while I was plugged into all those machines. So my mom and the rest of the family came to hold my little hand and sit by my bedside day and night. We even had our family minister come to my bed to say a prayer, in hopes of making a difference. |
| A few more days went by and the doctors gave us some horrible news. They said that my parents had to make a really tough decision as soon as possible as time wasn't in my favor. They were faced with an ultimatum ... to keep me hooked up to the breathing machine and I would not lead any kind of normal life or, ....to unplug me from Life Support. |
| My parents talked for a long time with family and friends about this and came to a decision...they didn't want me to be on a machine for the rest of my life as it wouldn't be fair to me. So they did the only thing that they could ; and it was the hardest thing they have ever had to do. The nurse told my parents to wait in the waiting room as it would take about 15 minutes to unplug all the wires from my little body. The doctor told my parents that he doesn't expect me to live through the night once this was all taken care of and asked if I was to be put on DNR ( Do not resuscitate). My parents said no...if it is Taylor's time to go, then it's the right thing to do. I remember my Mom and Dad at my bedside. The nurse called them in, stating that I was 'going down fast'. |
| At this point, my litle heart was giving out, struggling to keep me alive. I remember my Mom holding me in her arms, crying and telling me how much she loved me. A few seconds went by and I took a deep breath. Mom thought I was taking my last breath...but in reality it was my first breath! |
| After a few days, I was moved to another ward; and after a week I was able to get transferred to my hometown hospital. At Christmas I was able to go home for four hours!!! We visited my grandparents & had a wonderful day. Everyone was so surprised to see me; I received many hugs & kisses that day! |
| I am now 14 years old and I attend public school every day. . I have two great teacher helpers that guide & help me throughout the day; from changing to feeding ( I have a feeding tube in my stomach so I get the nutrition I need ). They read me stories & include me in other activities. I cannot sit by myself, feed myself, dress myself, and I cannot talk.. I am completely dependent on others to help me. I have a neat wheelchair that I use to get around, with the help of someone pushing it for me. I enjoy going to school to be with my friends. And I have made some great friends! Some even argue about who's going to push my wheelchair or who's going to sit beside me during storytime. My teacher made a buddy list, so everyone gets a turn. |
| At home, things are great. My brothers are good with me and they make sure that I am comfortable. My oldest brother helps my Mom put me in the bathtub and to my bed when my Dad isn't home. I am getting very heavy for her to lift on her own. I love to watch TV & listen to music and just be around my family as they can be pretty loud and crazy. I always look forward to my bathtime. Sometimes I get so relaxed that I almost fall asleep. I love to laugh & smile which makes everyone around me smile too...that's what matters the most . Thank you for taking the time to read my story. It has been a rollercoaster-ride for much of my life but in the end it was all worth it. From my Mom & Dad & me ....Thank You ! |
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The nightmare began when we arrived at Children's Hospital. I was immediately strolled into ICU and plugged into all different machines so that all the doctors and nurses could keep a very close eye on me. I even had to lay on a bed of ice to bring my temperature down as it was going sky high. That was not fun! Then I needed a heating pad because I got too cold and that's not good either. The doctors still weren't sure what was going on with me and all they ever told us, that I was a very, very sick little boy. I was put on a ventilator to help me breathe...I think it was called Life Support as the specialists didn't think that I could breathe on my own. |
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| Hearing these news, made all my family & friends so worried that they all came to visit me for many days. After two days, the neurologist came to tell my parents that I have Herpes Encephalitis which is an inflammation of the brain caused by a virus. Everyone was so shocked and distraught over the bad news as we really never heard of it before. He also said that I had severe brain damage, which in turn would result in very little recovery or even death. |
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| Three weeks later I was released from the hospital and went home. I had to see my doctor for checkups but this was way better than spending time in the hospital, away from my family. All the nurses & doctors treated me great and I will never forget all that they did for me and the endless hours they spent at my bedside. I owe them my life and I am truly thankful to each and every one of them. |
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| Site Copyright 2004 Dream Flight Creations. All Rights Reserved. Web Design & Maintenance Dreamflightcreations This site is for personal purposes only. I am in no way connected to the Walt Disney Company or any of its affiliates. All character images are copyright Walt Disney Company Original photography property of respective owners & should NOT be taken from this site. |
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