Tiny Emmie overcomes huge health hurdle in her first weeks

At just four weeks old, baby Emmie stopped breathing and turned blue while being cradled in her mother’s arms.

Emmie stopped breathing and turned blue while being cradled in her mothers’ arms.

AT JUST four weeks old, baby Emmie stopped breathing and turned blue while being cradled in her mother’s arms.

At five weeks, her lungs had collapsed three times, three viruses had hold of her tiny body and she was in Townsville University Hospital’s Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.

It’s every family’s worst nightmare, but eight months on mum Michaellie Tate credits her daughter’s extraordinary return to health to the Mackay and Townsville University Hospital teams.

Emmie stopped breathing and turned blue while being cradled in her mothers’ arms.

“Emmie had experienced cold-like symptoms leading up to it, but it all changed when I was at my mother’s house and she coughed, stopped breathing and turned blue,” Michaellie said.

“Mum took her in her arms, looked at me and said ‘call an ambulance right now’.”

Within hours, Emmie and Michaellie were bundled into a rescue chopper and sent to Townsville University Hospital.

“Emmie was the smallest one in PICU, which was extremely scary for her dad Elliot and I as we thought we were going to lose our baby girl,” Michaellie said.

“She had three viruses affecting her lungs: rhinovirus, bronchiolitis and enterovirus.

“She was in a critical state for three days and during that time her lungs collapsed three times.”

Eight months on, Emmie has completely recovered and is looking forward to spending Christmas in Bowen.

“We’re spending Christmas by the sea,” Michaellie said.

“All I can say to parents is, yes, you are in a horrible situation, but you have to tell yourself that everything is going to be OK and stay positive. Your child is in the best facility possible.”

Originally published as Tiny Emmie overcomes huge health hurdle in her first weeks