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Sayward family in need as son recovers in hospital

After being misdiagnosed with meningitis, Braeden March currently has no prognosis
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Braeden March woke up Dec. 15 with “the worst headache of his life

A crowdfunding campaign has been created for a Sayward man who was rushed to the Campbell River Hospital Dec. 15.

A message on the GoFundMe page from the family said that Braeden March woke up with the worst headache of his life and his girlfriend called the ambulance. On the way to the hospital he had a seizure.

“We appreciate anything that people can do, from donations to allow the family to be by Braeden’s side, to sending positive thoughts for the best possible outcome,” said Deb March, the creator of the GoFundMe page.

At the Campbell River Hospital,  he had a CT scan and a spinal tap. At the time, the doctors said it looked like he had bacterial meningitis, at which point he was airlifted to the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria.

His parents followed in their vehicle and met other family members at the hospital.

At first, the doctors confirmed it was meningitis and said that time and patience would see March improve, but he didn’t. The doctors began questioning their diagnosis and did another CT scan. It showed that the swelling and fluid in his brain had reached high levels and he needed an emergency surgery to relieve the pressure.

March was then transported to another hospital in Victoria and a shunt was placed in his brain to drain excess fluid.

After the surgery, another CT scan was performed, which showed that the bottom portion of March’s brain, the area that controls moving and breathing, was unable to get oxygen due to swelling.

The update on the GoFundMe page says that the doctors do not think their initial diagnosis of bacterial meningitis was correct. In the upcoming months, March will continue to receive tests as well as work on his recovery.

His mother is planning to stay at his side long term to support him as he recovers. His father will eventually be returning to work in Campbell River but is staying with his son for now.

To read the full story on the GoFundMe page, go to gofundme.com/braeden-march-and-family