One evening in November 2024, our five-week-old son, Riley, developed mild cold-like symptoms. At first, we weren’t too worried, but as his condition worsened, I knew something was seriously wrong. I stayed up all night watching him, and by 5am, I woke my husband, Sam, and said we needed to go to the hospital.
An ambulance took us to A&E at our local hospital in Barnsley, where Riley was diagnosed with bronchiolitis and tested positive for RSV and rhinovirus, all affecting his tiny lungs. Doctors warned that if his condition deteriorated, he might need intensive care at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. That night, our worst fears came true. An X-ray revealed a partial lung collapse, with Riley being intubated and rushed to Sheffield under blue lights. I travelled in the ambulance with him, terrified about his health and how we’d cope so much further away from our home.
We arrived in Sheffield in the early hours of the morning, exhausted and overwhelmed. After a brief sleep on a sofa in the hospital’s parent room, I was given an update on Riley’s condition. Then a nurse asked if I needed somewhere to stay. Later that day, I was handed a set of keys to Magnolia House, a ‘Home from Home’ run by an incredible charity called The Sick Children’s Trust. The relief was overwhelming. It meant Sam and I could stay in Sheffield, close to Riley, without worrying about where we would sleep or travelling back and forth from Barnsley, which can be well over an hour in heavy traffic.
In Sheffield, Riley’s struggle became even more serious, being placed on a ventilator for 11 days. At one point, things became so bad that doctors considered using an oscillator, a more extreme form of breathing support. It was terrifying. Thankfully, they found another method that stabilised him, but his recovery remained slow, complicated by a staph infection and the need for a blood transfusion.
Over his 11 days on the ventilator, Riley endured multiple attempts to breathe without support, but each trial ended in failure. When he finally came off the ventilator, it felt like a huge milestone in his recovery. He remained on oxygen therapy for several more days before his feeding tube was removed. Then, after nearly three weeks in hospital, we were finally able to take him home – a moment of immense relief.
Magnolia House provided sanctuary
Looking back, the facilities at Magnolia House provided so much more than just a bed. Everything practical you could need was there – washing and drying facilities, communal cooking areas, a fridge, a food cupboard. There was even a playroom, which became so important when our eldest son, Sami, came to visit.
At just two years old, Sami struggled with hospital visits. He loved seeing his baby brother but found the ICU environment difficult to navigate. He was so curious about all the machines, and he wanted to run around. The playroom at Magnolia House gave us somewhere to spend time together that felt more normal – a moment to be a mum to both of my boys.
Staying at Magnolia House gave us a much-needed break from the stressful ICU environment. The ward had fold-out chairs for parents, but the constant beeping monitors and alarms made sleep almost impossible. Being able to step away, even briefly, helped us rest and recharge so we could better support Riley.
I was at the hospital around the clock, expressing milk for Riley. If only one of us could stay, it had to be me. However, as someone who struggles with seizures, being alone would have been incredibly difficult. Magnolia House allowed my husband to stay with me, providing the support I desperately needed. It also meant he could spend more time with Riley rather than constantly travelling back and forth.
Having a ‘Home from Home’ also helped with our mental wellbeing. Being just five minutes away meant we could take short breaks without the guilt of leaving Riley. That small separation allowed us to care for ourselves – something that’s vital when making critical decisions for your child.
Looking ahead
Today, Riley is recovering well, although he still battles frequent viral infections and awaits further hospital assessments. It’s been a nasty winter, but looking at him, you’d never know how ill he was. He’s a very smiley little boy, and he’s getting really chunky!
I honestly can’t imagine how we would have coped without Magnolia House. It gave us a safe space, a genuine sanctuary, at the worst time in our lives. We will always be grateful to The Sick Children’s Trust for keeping us close to Riley when he needed us most.
Lauren Auckland, Riley’s mum
