Miracle mum Brie shares Tates’s story:

Our families fight with Respiratory Syncytial Virus 

RSV poses a heartbreaking experience for all parents. For example, this is our story about our preemie Tate, born at 31 weeks, who is now nearly an energetic 2 year old boy. 
 
Imagine a 4-month-old preemie who underwent prematurity surgery two months prior, returning to the hospital. Being told the results for RSV came back as positive. We were informed that he would likely worsen before improving, requiring our admittance on the paediatric ward.  
For 10 days our lives consisted of High flow oxygen, steroids, nebulisers, chest X-rays, fluids and an abundance of love. 
 
As parents we unfortunately experience the fear, excitement, love, and anguish as you watch your kid battle, the tears streaming down your cheek as you assist in holding your baby down for chest X-rays and cannulas, is an unimaginable amount of heartbreak. 
 
I remember Tate's initial reaction to RSV wasn't what the doctors had anticipated, as the RSV eventually caused a lung to partially collapse. 
 
Tate unfortunately battled RSV twice in a single year. The paediatric team at Joondalup Hospital provided us with essential support throughout our hospital stay, and when Tate got sick with RSV the second time, we were able to return to the same ward where our tiny tenacious boy was being treated by the same doctors. 
 
Our family is already getting ready for what hardships our third winter may bring to Tate and our family. 
 
It is said that covering our cough and sneeze, washing our hands, not touching surfaces, and not kissing children when sick can prevent RSV. 
 
In reality, these measures are insufficient because the illnesses still afflict our babies/children.