Note: This story, originally in the news in August 2020, is being republished.
A 10-month-old infant, Pearce Shepherd, is battling for survival after accidentally swallowing the contents of a laundry detergent capsule at his family residence in Lennoxtown, East Dunbartonshire. The incident occurred while his mother, Melissa Cairney, was occupied with household tasks, and Pearce, seizing a moment of distraction, ingested the harmful contents, resulting in severe stomach burns and lung inflammation.
Image Credit: Melissa Cairney/Facebook
The alarming incident unfolded on a Friday, leading to an urgent rush to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, where Pearce currently remains in a medically induced coma. Medical professionals, while hopeful about Pearce’s recovery, are uncertain about the timeline for his recuperation. Melissa and her partner, David Shepherd, received the distressing news as they grappled with Pearce’s emergency medical treatment.
The family, including four other children—Tyler, 10, Darcie, 7, Brodie, 3, and Hudson, 2—experienced the traumatic event while Melissa was preparing dinner and attending to laundry chores. Pearce, momentarily unattended, seized the opportunity to grab one of the detergent capsules that had fallen from the countertop.
Image Credit: Melissa Cairney/Facebook
Reacting promptly, Melissa sought guidance from her mother and decided to transport Pearce to the hospital due to potential delays in ambulance arrival. However, during the 15-minute car journey, Pearce’s condition rapidly deteriorated. Melissa vividly recalls the distressing moment when Pearce began vomiting and displaying signs of severe distress. Panic ensued as he appeared lethargic and unresponsive.
Upon arrival at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, Pearce was promptly taken into surgery. An endoscopy revealed the extent of the damage, with burns in his stomach caused by the toxic substances. The severity of the exposure led to respiratory complications, necessitating the induced coma.
Image Credit: Melissa Cairney/Facebook
While medical professionals offer optimism for Pearce’s recovery, the uncertainty surrounding the duration of his recuperation and potential long-term effects weighs heavily on his parents. Currently in the intensive care unit, Pearce’s lungs continue to be affected, and his immune system is combating infections.
Melissa, allowed to stay with her son in the intensive care room, shares the anguish of not knowing the full extent of Pearce’s recovery. The family’s distress is compounded by David’s need to remain at home with their other four children.
Image Credit: Melissa Cairney/Facebook
In light of this heart-wrenching ordeal, Melissa issues a sincere warning to fellow parents, highlighting the potential danger posed by seemingly harmless household cleaning products. She expresses disbelief at the severity of the consequences, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and caution. The family fervently hopes that by sharing their story, they can prevent similar incidents and ensure other families remain vigilant about the risks associated with such products.
Source: Mirror
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