An Espanola toddler is once more fighting for her life at Toronto Sick Kids.
Autumn McCulligh, 2, of Espanola is on life support following heart surgery earlier this week.
Relative, Larissa McCulligh, says she is trying to raise fund to help my cousin, Aaron, Autumn’s father, to stay in Toronto to be with his baby girl!
Larissa says Autumn was born with a heart condition and was monitored throughout pregnancy and was delivered at Sick Kids two years ago.
Medical staff made the decision to wait till she was a bit older to do the surgery.
Initially, it was supposed to be this past April, but when they went down to Toronto for her pre-op appointment to run some tests, her heart stopped twice and they had to revive her.
Autumn was put on life support and was given time for her heart to rest and start pumping on its own. She unfortunately sustained some brain damage from her traumatic experience.
Through months of rehabilitation in Toronto she recovered enough to come home in August to give her some time to rest before doctors attempted her surgery again.
After a four-hour surgery this past Tuesday, which went smoothly, Autumn had complications.
Larissa says when they went to remove her breathing tube, Autumn coughed, which put too much pressure on her heart and ruptured some internal stitches.
They had to open her back up immediately and performed CPR on her for some 29 minutes, so it’s possible Autumn has more brain damage but the extent is not known at this time.
She is currently on life support fighting like the little heart warrior she is.
Larissa says everything is touch and go at the moment and no one is entirely sure on the next steps to Autumn’s recovery.
“All I know is the family is in need of some financial assistance during this difficult as we are unsure of the length of time they will be in Toronto this time around. I’m looking to the community for help. If anyone could donate it would be greatly appreciated.”
The go fund me is set up and around $2,000 is needed to help Aaron with expenses in Toronto. Please note, the $4000 raised was from Autumn’s first stay in Toronto earlier this year. All donations not used by the family will be donated to Sick Kids.
https://www.gofundme.com/autumns-road-to-recovery
There is also a draw for a basket donated by Hair Plus at the Espanola Mall. Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5. They are available at the salon.