Thread by @WesElyMD

1/ How do Children Suffer after ICU?

Today the mom of a 4 y/o boy who is in 📚#EveryDeepDrawnBreath wrote me & said to share this pic (w his twin). The family’s story can help us understand life after #CriticalIllness:

“Dr. Wes, we are 2 years out & he’s got a new limp!”
WHY?

2/ Mom writes: “Many appointments later we have learned that either his septic shock, ECMO, or the strokes caused damage to his growth plates. His left leg & foot are shorter than his right leg & right foot.”

This feature of pediatric #PICS will also affect sick #COVID19 kids.

3/ She goes on… “The doc at the children's hospital who we see said any of these 3 conditions can cause this to happen and our son had all three (strokes, septic shock, ECMO).”

4/ PTSD has invaded the whole family - Mom says: “Even 2 years out, our whole family is still very much affected. Just last week, when my son and I left for his appointment, his brother panicked, afraid we weren't coming back.”

5/ “A couple months ago I had gone to the kids' room to get them up for school. They all 3 sleep together and his brother & sister were snoozing away but he wasn't anywhere to be found. The kids didn't know where he was. I searched all the bedrooms & the rest of the house.”

6/ “Immediately my mind went to ‘he has been dead this whole time and I just dreamed that he was still with us.’ When my thoughts went there, I went absolutely berserk, crying and yelling for my husband.” 😭

7/ “My husband found him asleep in the closet floor and the kids stood there trying to figure out what in the heck is wrong with mom? I was messed up for a whole week.”
 
This is the reality of #PICS and will be part of #LongCOVID, too, after the ICU.

8/fin
There is so much we can do to lift-up ICU Survivors. Our @CIBScenter help patients & families in recovery after #CriticalIllness through support groups, cognitive & physical rehab, counselling. First listen & validate! That’s what the book is about:👇

https://twitter.com/weselymd/status/1422144078427394048

BTW, this courageous boy wants to share his story because his sister & friends were very confused about why he “disappeared” (while in ICU) & couldn’t play w them afterwards. It’s super important to remember that he owns his own story & it’s his gift to us. 🎁