Cai's story

Baby Cai was born with a host of serious health issues and has had to go into hospital 18 times already, even though he is only one year old.

The little boy still has no diagnosis for his complex heath conditions which include development delay, microcephaly, visual impairment and immunological abnormalities. He has to be fed via a tube through his nose.

Life has been tough for Cai and his parents Micaela and Matthew, but the family has been lucky that they have had the support of WellChild Children’s Nurse Rhian since Cai was four months old.

Rhian was introduced to Cai’s family whilst he was in hospital and she began the complex process of coordinating his discharge home. Cai’s health needs meant that he needed a lot of support from a range of health professionals and also numerous pieces of equipment available at home.

Rhian supported Micaela by taking over the stressful task of communicating with all of those involved in Cai’s care. She organised for oxygen and a suction machine to be delivered to the house and ensured that Micaela was trained to use these.

Rhian has coordinated Cai’s care so he can be looked after at home. She referred the family to the Community Nursing team who have provided physiotherapy, occupational therapy and respite care for them in the community. As much as possible is done to avoid Cai having to go back into hospital.

Recently Cai’s father was involved in a serious road traffic accident. Rhian contacted the local hospice and organised a placement for Cai so his mum Michaela could spend time in hospital with her partner.

Cai has very complex needs and requires 24 hour care but with Rhian’s help Michaela is able to look after her baby boy at home rather than have to visit him in a hospital ward.

 

 

April 2011