Innisfail’s youngest surviving baby Lyla Cassady’s fight for life in hospital
A baby born at a regional Far North hospital more than 16 weeks early is facing the fight of her young life, battling lung infections and a brain bleed.
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A baby born at a regional Far North Queensland hospital more than 16 weeks early is facing the fight of her young life, battling infections and a brain bleed months before her due date.
Lyla Jane Cassady was born at Innisfail Hospital on March 10 at 23.5 weeks, weighing just 657 grams.
She is believed to be the youngest surviving baby born at the regional hospital.
Lyla was immediately flown to Townsville University Hospital where she remains in the neonatal intensive care unit with parents Tara Boswell and Ethan Cassady by her side every day.
Grandmother Susanne Wallis said little Lyla was doing well until a “big setback” hit the young family last week.
The premature baby caught two major infections – staph and pseudomonas – in her lungs and briefly lost some oxygen, which caused serious bleeding in her brain on March 26.
“It was fortunate the doctor on service gave her the right antibiotics. She’s been fighting that,” Ms Wallis said.
“She’s still critical at the moment but stable. She has put on weight and she’s starting to do a bit of her own breathing, she’s 50 per cent (supported breathing) at the moment.
“But she was just unlucky. Because mucus got in she didn’t get some oxygen and now she’s got a grade four brain bleed, which gives her an 80 per cent chance of having cerebral palsy.
“We’re praying for a miracle.”
Ms Boswell said her “beautiful angel” was fighting hard.
“She’s amazing … it’s scary as f**k but she’s deadly,” Ms Boswell said.
Ms Wallis said the family was “blessed” to have Lyla, a first child for Ms Boswell after multiple miscarriages.
“(Tara’s) keeping a brave face but she’s obviously very stressed,” Ms Wallis said.
The family has been supported by the Ronald McDonald House with accommodation next to the hospital.
Being able to use a new livestreaming camera at Townsville Hospital to feel close to their tiny bub between visits has been “a godsend” for the parents as well.
Lyla is not expected to reach a normal birth weight and be discharged for another three to four months, but Ms Wallis said the future was uncertain.
“We’ll get through the lung disease first and then we’ll worry about the rest after that,” the grandmother said.
“The hospital staff have been absolutely fantastic. They took her off sedation (on Thursday) and she just started kicking and swinging her arms.
“The nurses said she’s such an active little girl, she’s a feisty little one.
“There’s going to be long-term things down the track that we don’t know (yet).
“All we want is a little miracle.”
You can support the family through GoFundMe.
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