Good Friday Appeal: Royal Children’s Hospital helps Elsie breath easier

KYLIE Tupai was just hours away from finishing work on her own nursing ward, just up the road from the Royal Children’s Hospital, when she got the call — her daughter was having trouble breathing.

Elsie Tupai explores the RCH playground before heading home to Kyneton. Picture: Jason Edwards

KYLIE Tupai was just hours away from finishing work on her own nursing ward, just up the road from the Royal Children’s Hospital, when she got the call.

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It was her mother-in-law, who was babysitting her daughter Elsie. The 20-month-old had been coughing all night.

Elsie was having trouble breathing. She wasn’t sleeping and was exhausted.

“I said, ‘If you’re worried, just take her into the Children’s,” Ms Tupai said.

Elsie now has a management plan and Ventolin. Picture: Jason Edwards

About 5am Sunday she finished her shift early at Royal Melbourne Hospital and raced to the RCH.

“She was still working really hard with her breathing,” she said. “I don’t specialise in nursing children so it’s a bit overwhelming when it’s your own child.”

Because this is her first respiratory-related hospital presentation, Elsie can’t yet be diagnosed with asthma.

After two days in hospital, Elsie is back at home in Kyneton with a management plan and Ventolin.

First stop for the energetic toddler today was a trip to the park.

“Obviously I wish it would never happen again, but the good thing is we know about it,” Ms Tupai said.

“We hope we can keep her safe.”

To donate, head to the Good Friday Appeal website