Madison’s Story – A Life Saved by the Janeway
On June 7th, 2020, our daughter Madison was urgently transferred from James Paton Memorial Hospital to the Janeway in St. John’s. She was in severe pain, retaining fluid, and her kidneys had stopped working.
Just days later, on June 11th, Madison underwent a kidney biopsy, was intubated, and placed on a ventilator. Diagnosed with acute kidney failure, she immediately began dialysis. It was the scariest time of our lives. She remained intubated for days, enduring countless tests—bone marrow, genetic screening, and extensive bloodwork. Inflammation markers were dangerously high, affecting her kidneys, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and even causing fluid around her heart.
Thanks to the incredible Janeway team, she was treated with prednisone and Anakinra. Slowly, with dialysis, she began to improve. Once off the ventilator, her spark began to return.
Her journey was long, frightening, and uncertain. But the expertise, compassion, and tireless care of the Janeway’s doctors, nurses, and specialists brought her back to us. Eventually, Madison was diagnosed with undifferentiated connective tissue disease. Without the Janeway, we don’t know what the outcome would have been.
Special thanks to Dr. Jill Barter (PICU), Dr. Murphy (Nephrology), Dr. Paul Dancey (Rheumatology), and the entire Medicine Unit. These are just a few of the many who gave our little girl a second chance.
As The Outdoor Guys, we now use our online platform to give back. This fundraiser is our way of saying thank you—and helping other families who may one day find themselves where we once were.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you, Janeway.