Sometimes life brings battles so heavy that words fail to carry their weight. For little Raedyn, that battle has been long and cruel — one fought not on a playground or in a classroom, but in hospital rooms filled with machines, whispers, and prayers.
It began with a surgery meant to bring healing. But during the procedure, there was a tear in his dura — the thin, protective layer around the brain. In the days that followed, spinal fluid began to leak from his incision, forcing doctors to add more stitches in hopes of stopping the flow and allowing his body time to heal itself. When the fluid stopped, his family went home, hopeful that perhaps the worst was behind them.
But just days later, they found themselves back in the hospital again. A new leak had formed — another heartbreak, another round of antibiotics, another stretch of anxious waiting. After four days of treatment to prevent infection, they returned home once more. And for a brief, shining moment, things seemed better.
Raedyn began to laugh again. He played, smiled, ate a little by mouth, and connected with those who loved him most. Those fleeting days of joy were like sunlight after a storm. But then, slowly, his energy began to fade. The sparkle in his eyes dimmed. He grew tired, irritable, and stopped eating. Sitting or standing became painful — the pressure in his head too much to bear.
Then came the red splotches. Angry, hot patches that spread across his head, causing him to cry and rub at the pain. His fever spiked, his head grew soft to the touch, and fluid began to pool beneath his skin. His mother, feeling that instinct only a parent can know, called his medical team immediately. They told her to come in — now.
Since arriving back at the hospital, Raedyn has barely opened his eyes. The child once full of sass, known for his playful stubbornness, now lies still and unresponsive. Doctors performed an emergency MRI that revealed signs of infection — though not yet clear how far it had spread. Concern deepened as the infectious disease team joined his case. He was started on two powerful antibiotics — ones that could treat meningitis, just in case the infection had reached the brain.
Another MRI was ordered, this time under sedation and contrast imaging, to provide a more detailed picture. The doctors’ greatest fear: that the infection may have spread into the bone or brain itself. His bloodwork, too, tells a worrying story — high infection markers, rising inflammation, and no clear point of origin.
The team considered drawing fluid to confirm the diagnosis, but the risks outweighed the benefits. There’s simply no safe way to do it right now. And so, they wait — monitoring, praying, hoping.
When Raedyn does wake up, it’s only for a moment. He clutches his head in pain, unable to tolerate movement or sound. For his mother, those moments are unbearable. Watching her child — her bright, beautiful, strong little boy — suffer so silently is a kind of heartbreak that words can’t describe.
Through every update, her voice carries the weight of both exhaustion and unwavering faith. “We’re praying for answers,” she wrote. “Praying for a solid plan. Praying for peace for Raedyn — and for everyone caring for him to have open minds and understanding as they decide what to do next.”
And so, the prayers continue — not just from the hospital room, but from friends, family, and strangers across the country who’ve come to know Raedyn’s story. They pray for his healing, for his doctors’ wisdom, and for the strength of a family that refuses to give up.
Because beneath the beeping monitors and sterile walls, there is a love stronger than fear — a mother’s love that refuses to break, and a child’s spirit that refuses to surrender.
💜 May this little warrior find rest, healing, and peace.
May the days ahead bring light where there has been pain, hope where there has been fear, and miracles where they are needed most.