2-year-old Grayson Dunham died less than a week after experiencing severe vomiting and diarrhea brought about by complications from an E. coli infection.
Initially, the doctors told the family that it might have been stomach flu, they then said that Grayson’s intestines might have been folded over, they also mentioned that it could have been due to problems with his appendix. “We were misdiagnosed five times before they said, yes this is HUS,” Grayson’s mother Kayla, recalls. By the time they found out the cause of disease, Grayson was already experiencing intense abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea.
Eventually, Grayson was admitted in the intensive care unit of a children’s hospital in Indianapolis where doctors informed his parents that he was stable and that they can take a nap in a nearby room. The family soon received news that Grayson’s condition was rapidly deteriorating. Doctors immediately performed CPR for over an hour and 45 minutes to try and get Grayson’s heart pumping, but they were unable to revive him. He passed away soon after.
The exact cause of Grayson’s death was attributed to HUS, or Hemolytic-uremic syndrome; a disease wherein the victim’s red blood cells are destroyed, and the destroyed cells clogs the kidneys which then causes kidney failure. HUS is usually brought about after an infection of E. coli in the digestive system.
Grayson’s family is still in shock over the entire incident. They also were not sure where he got the E. coli infection and are now sharing their story as a means of spreading awareness about HUS.
While the Graysons are saddened by the loss of their son, they’re getting ready for the arrival of a new member of the family, Grayson’s little sister, who they’re planning to name Graysie after her big brother.
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