Jayden’s time in critical care
10-year-old Jayden lives in Woodford Green with his mum Josephine, dad Wai and brother Lewis. At six weeks old, Jayden developed a blocked nose and a slight cold. Jayden was a fit and healthy full-term baby up to that point.
However, his condition soon deteriorated so rapidly that his parents had to rush him to A&E at Whipps Cross Hospital, where he was stabilised and transferred to the Paediatric Critical Care Unit (PCCU) at The Royal London Hospital and put onto a ventilator. What had started as a minor cold had now become bronchiolitis, which had caused both of his lungs to collapse.
Baby Jayden in the Paediatric Critical Care Unit.
Jayden’s mum Josephine thinks back to that dreadful day: “His colour looked off and he just wouldn’t stop screaming, so we rushed him to Whipps Cross A&E. They gave him oxygen and put him on a CPAP machine, but his condition just wasn’t improving so they moved him over to the PCCU in an oxygenated capsule. He was intubated on a ventilator for a few days, which felt like years at the time.”
“It just didn’t seem real – it felt like I was in a dream or a movie. It’s not something you think would ever happen to you.”Josephine, Jayden's mum
Over the next few days, Jayden remained in a critical condition, whilst clinicians did everything they could. Josephine and Wai feared the worst for their baby boy. Josephine shares: “We thought we were going to have to call a priest to get him christened there and then in the hospital, that was how close he was to dying. As a parent, it was the most traumatic experience you could have.”
During this time, Josephine was amazed at the incredible support she received from hospital staff. “The staff were absolutely amazing, and the consultants explained everything they were doing and why they were doing it, so I felt very well informed the whole time. Emotionally I was always going to be a wreck, but looking back now I was very well supported”, says Josephine.
Jayden and mum Josephine.
Coming home for Christmas
After being given a blood transfusion, Jayden’s condition started to improve – his body started to fight the infection, and he was eventually able to breathe on his own again. After 10 days in hospital, Jayden was able to return home to his family on Christmas Eve.
Josephine remembers that Christmas as “a nervous one for us, but we tried to keep it as normal as possible for our older child, who was 7 at the time.”
“Christmas has a deeper meaning for me now, and is a particularly sensitive time for me, because Jayden very nearly spent his first Christmas in hospital. I’ve volunteered at the hospital since then, wrapping Christmas presents for children and decorating the wards. I want to help brighten the days of those families who have to spend Christmas in hospital.”Josephine, Jayden's mum
A heartfelt thank you – supporting our Secret Santa Appeal
Josephine was so impressed with the support she received during their time at The Royal London Hospital, that she wanted to help give back by supporting Barts Charity:
“A few months after we got home I reached out to Barts Health – they did so much for my family and saved my child’s life, so I wanted to know what I could do in return. That’s when I got in touch with Barts Charity.”
Josephine now uses connections through her work in the finance sector to let people know of the amazing work at Barts Charity and the many charity events and campaigns through the years. This year she is also supporting our Secret Santa appeal, helping us make sure no child is left behind on Christmas day.
Josephine shares their story and why she chooses to support Barts Charity’s Secret Santa appeal:
“Barts Health brought me back my child that I was so desperately losing, and I want to do everything I can to give back. Without them Jayden may not have been with us today. He's now a fit and healthy 10-year-old and I can't get him to sit down! For him to be running up and down today and living a normal life is amazing. Barts Health has given me back my child.”Josephine, Jayden's mum
Bring joy to a child like Jayden this Christmas
Be a Secret Santa and help us bring festive magic to patients like Jayden staying in hospital over Christmas.