The Morrison family, like countless others, have followed events surrounding the pandemic. Perhaps more closely than other families.
“COVID-19 has changed our world in many ways and has made it more worrisome for my family,” said Shannon Morrison.
Morrison’s son, Heydan, aged nine, has a compromised immune system which puts him at greater risk of becoming ill.
“As a nurse at Sault Area Hospital, I worry about exposing my family to this virus,” Morrison said, adding for now, her two children are with her parents in isolation.
“I miss mommy and daddy the most, but I am having fun at Nanny and Papa’s house,” young Heydan said via email. “We go out on the quad every day.”
In an interview via email, Morrison said Heydan was diagnosed at three years old with Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID). In addition, his diagnosis with abnormally low antibodies took some time to surface.
Heydan was a full-term baby, the second for Morrison and Sean. He seemed to progress well until seven months old.
He really wasn’t growing, was frequently ill and had a constant discharge from his nose, Morrison said. By 14 months, he was referred to the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto where he had his tonsils and adenoids removed. Heydan also suffered from frequent ear infections, upper respiratory infections and chronic athlete’s foot.
“We assumed he would get better but that was not the case,” his mother said. “He was not thriving again, not growing in height and weight.”
On the wall at her sister’s office, a nurse practitioner was a poster listing symptoms of an immunodeficiency. Heydan had them all.
A follow-up visit with his pediatrician, Morrison requested a test for immunoglobulins be added to Heydan’s next blood draw. It came back abnormal.
Heydan lacked the immunoglobulin IgG, the most common type of antibody in the blood. He was referred to the Immunology Department at SickKids in Toronto and has been followed since.
He also underwent surgery to remove large lymph nodes in his neck.
“Some children grow out of these immune issues but the results from his neck gave SickKids the answers they needed to proceed with treatment,” she said, adding Heydan has had numerous surgeries after that.
The Richards Landing youngster lives a normal life for the most part, but precautions must be taken not to expose him to certain illnesses such as chickenpox or shingles.
He’s a happy-go-lucky little boy with a smile that can light up a room, say people who know him. Heydan is involved in sports and loves basketball.
“He must miss school once a month to have his infusion, but normally is the healthiest one in the house since beginning his treatment,” Morrison said.
Since the age of five, Heydan has been treated with monthly intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).
“The thing I don’t like about being sick is the needles and operations,” Heydan said. “They hurt and I don’t like them.”
IVIG is made from human plasma, the liquid part of the blood that contains antibodies, a protein that helps fight infections.
“Heydan is very lucky to have IVIG which gives him the antibodies from many different donors,” Morrison said ,adding Heydan has gained weight and grown in height.
He is a Grade 3 student at St. Joseph Island Central School. At the beginning of each year, the principal sends out a note to families advising them there is a child in the school that is immunocompromised and what illnesses parents should be calling to report.
Hayden will have immunodeficiency for the rest of his life and will require IVIG also for the rest of his life.
He misses school functions such as pyjama day.
“When I grow up, I would like to be sea lamprey catcher like my dad, or an airplane pilot,” Heydan said.
Wishes come true
In February of this year, Heydan was granted a wish from the Make a Wish foundation. He chose Disney World, spending seven days and six nights.
Heydan loves Star Wars and Goofy. He became a Jedi in training and fought Darth Vader while at Disney World.
While there, they also went on an airboat ride and to Gatorland and Universal Studios.
“We were spoiled,” Morrison said. “We stayed at the most amazing place, Give Kids the World Village.” The village was created by a Holocaust Survivor, described as the most magical place on earth. Kids had ice cream from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and a cookie cart drove right to the door.
“I was most excited to see the Stars exhibits and went into the rides three times each,” Heydan said. “My favourite part of the wish trip was staying at Give Kids the World Village.”
The village is operated mostly by volunteers, Morrison said.
“My family plans to return, volunteering and pay it forward for the wonderful time they had.”
Daily challenges
The Morrisons have been through difficult days since Hayden begun treatment. IV starts were huge issues. Now he has two special anesthesia assistants that come into the unit to start his IVs.
“This has made life a lot easier, decreasing his anxiety,” Morrison said. “Heydan is aware of his disease and has been through a lot in his short life. All of these things have made him an amazingly strong and brave child.
"I never used to be a blood donor until Heydan was ill and I wish I would have started earlier. I am so thankful for all the donors that keep Heydan healthy and strong.”
Fast Facts
- More about Immunodeficiencies at primaryimmune.org
- Canadian Blood Services is in the process of creating a Plasma Donation Centre in Sudbury.
- A donor can give plasma every seven days
