Toddler who lost limbs to rare bacterial infection back home
Nearly 10 weeks back, Rachel and Humberto Faria were told their 15-month old son Ethan "wouldn't make it." On Wednesday morning, the toddler was discharged from SickKids hospital.
'He's alive, happy, we couldn't ask for anything more,' mom Rachel says
Nearly 10 weeks go, Rachel and HumbertoFaria were told their 15-month old son Ethan "wouldn't make it."
On Wednesday morning, the toddler was discharged from the Hospital for Sick Children.
Last July, Ethan was rushed to SickKids after his mother took him to North York General Hospital with a fever and a cough.
He was diagnosed with Haemophilusinfluenzae Type B, a dangerous bacterial infection that can be life-threatening. In August, doctors amputated both of his legs below the knees and removed part of his right arm, as well.
"We couldn't accept what happened," Rachel Faria told CBC News' Makda Ghebreslassie in an exclusive interview at the hospital. "We couldn't understand how, why, and we still don't have those answers.
"We've grieved and been through so many emotions but we're in the acceptance stage," she added. "He's alive, happy, and we couldn't ask for anything more. Now, we just want him to heal."
Ethan's mother explained the healing process will include giving the toddler two injections a day, and feeding him three times daily to help him regain the weight he lost.
"The nurses have been teaching me something every day," she said. "It's been a learning process but we just have to keep going."
Told by doctors to expect the worst when Ethan was admitted to SickKids, Rachel said every meeting with specialists was "like a blow to the head."
GoFundMe campaign raises nearly $98K
A GoFundMe campaign to take care of the family's medical bills that was set up on Aug. 10 has raised nearly $98,000. The original goal was $50,000 goal.
Both Rachel and Humberto credited hospital staff with making their journey a little easier.
"The staff have been amazing," Rachel said. "I call them angels, they really are. They've helped us through the toughest times. They took care of him like he was their child."
Charis Kelly, one of several nurses at SickKids who cared for Ethan, told CBC that even though he has been discharged from the hospital "in no way is he leaving our care."
"He will continue to be involved at SickKids for the majority of his childhood and most likely will receive some rehabilitation ... when we feel it's appropriate," Kelly said.
"Children are incredibly resilient," she said. "We had a case similar to Ethan's in the past and he is an amazing young child right now doing amazing things.
"It'll be a long journey but we'll continue to provide (the family) with as much support as we can," Kelly said. "He's a very special child."