In January 2020, 7-year-old Dominic had a cold. He hadn’t been feeling well for about a week when he woke his mother up in the middle of the night.
“It was around 3 a.m. and told me his heart hurt,” recalled his mom, Kinga. “We went to the nearest hospital, but they said he needed a higher level of care. He was rushed to Advocate Children’s Hospital – Park Ridge, which is an hour from our home in Minooka.”
Dominic was diagnosed with influenza, severe pneumonia in both lungs and strep throat. He had a 105-degree fever and developed sepsis, which is the body's overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection.
“He was intubated so fluid could be drained from his lungs and put in an induced coma for five days. And he had a freeze jacket to try to bring his body temperature down.”
After four days, Dominic began to show signs of improvement. His breathing tube was removed, but he still needed supplemental oxygen.
“He was very weak and began physical therapy to help him walk again. He had lost 8 pounds,” she said. “He still had a fever, and the doctor believed there was more fluid in his lungs.”
What should have been a 40-minute procedure to clear Dominic’s lungs turned into surgery after complications. He had to have another chest tube and was back in bed for two more days.
When Dominic had recovered enough, he was finally able to leave his room and visit the teen lounge. He participated in activities through the hospital’s Child Life, Creative Arts Therapies, and Education programs, which are all supported by philanthropy.
“He’d been very depressed being in the room by himself for so long, and he was thrilled with the pinball machine, Play Station, movies, games, magic shows and art therapy. It was all so helpful for his mood and the healing process.”
In all, Dominic spent three weeks in the hospital. Kinga credits the Child Life, Creative Arts Therapies, and Education for helping him feel like a normal kid again.
“His mental health had really deteriorated during his stay, but Child Life, Creative Arts Therapies, and Education brought life back into him,” she shared. “He was smiling again and was more himself.”
Inspired to give back
Dominic’s father, Chris, works for Constellation, a company that hosts an annual fishing tournament to raise funds for charity. This year, Chris nominated Advocate Children’s Hospital as the Fishing for a Cure event beneficiary because of the care his son received.
“All in all, it was the scariest experience of our lives, but the support we received was incredible. We feel so fortunate. Now he’s 9 years old, full of energy, plays flag football and wrestles. Other than a couple of scars, he’s all healed up,” said Chris. “He went from having a simple cold early that week to us not knowing if he would ever wake up again. By the grace of God, we still have our son and family.”
With the proceeds from Fishing for a Cure, Advocate Children’s Hospital will launch a virtual reality program using KindVR, which creates customized virtual reality support and distraction for various procedures, coping with hospitalization, and pain management. Learn about the event.
You can also make a gift to support Advocate Children’s Hospital.