A worrying illness

At just seven weeks old, Hollie developed a runny nose. Gen kept an especially close eye on her young bub, as she knew her friend’s daughter was unwell with RSV and struggling to breathe.

RSV (or Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a common virus that causes coughs and colds during the winter. For most people, RSV is a mild illness. But it can be more serious – it can even be fatal.

Newborn babies like Hollie are at greater risk, and can deteriorate quickly.

“The doctor told me to look out for neck breathing or belly breathing, which were signs she was struggling.”

A tiny life in danger

Gen monitored Hollie closely and when her symptoms worsened, Gen drove the 40kms to Roma Hospital.

“I was holding Hollie in my arms,” says Gen. “And she suddenly went limp. She’d stopped breathing.”

A nurse moved fast to clear the mucus blocking her airways, “It was like she woke up again.”

Baby Hollie laboured for each breath. Even with support, she was going downhill fast.

At this point, Gen began to feel desperate, “I felt sick. I thought we were going to lose her”.

Hollie needed to be flown to Brisbane for specialist medical care urgently .

A fight for life during an emergency flight

There wasn’t a moment to lose. As soon as our aircraft touched down, the team assessed Hollie.

“The doctor told us, ‘We’ve got a really sick baby here’” remembers Gen. “I said, ‘Could she die?’ She said, ‘Yes’. I’ve never had such a feeling of darkness.”

The team did everything possible to stabilise Hollie. Intubation, a nasal gastric tube to provide fluids. Throughout it all, Hollie was sedated. But Gen was close by – alone and terrified.

By the time Hollie was able to fly, she was covered in tubes. She was flown in a Neocot that provided a specialised environment where she could be closely monitored and cared for during the one-hour flight. For Gen, it was agony.

Gen hadn’t slept since Hollie fell ill. She was frantic with worry. When finally Hollie arrived at Queensland Children’s Hospital, she was rushed into the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. “I just remember feeling relieved,” said Gen. “Thanks to the Flying Doctor, Hollie was where she needed to be – a place where they’re saving babies’ lives day and night.”

A thankful mum

For the next few days, Hollie was in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, sedated, and on a breathing tube.

After a long, anxious week, Hollie was well enough to go home.

Gen is full of gratitude, “If the Flying Doctor hadn’t arrived when they did, things might have been very different. I don’t know if Hollie would be here today.”

“When you live where we live, you’re always aware that you’re hundreds of kilometres from a city hospital,” explains Gen. “Everyone knows someone who has had to be flown out, so I’ve always understood how important the Royal Flying Doctor Service is.”

Gen and her family are now part of our Support Crew, giving a monthly gift to help fund our vital service. We’re so thankful for their kindness, as we are for all our Support Crew members.