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6-Month-Old Baby Survives Coronavirus After Fighting Heart Conditions And Lung Problems
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6-Month-Old Baby Survives Coronavirus After Fighting Heart Conditions And Lung Problems

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The COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenging time for everyone. However, while hospitals are overcrowded and medical staff are seriously lacking protective gear with tens of thousands already dead, there are also glimmers of hope and positivity rising up amid the chaos.

Erin Bates is the 6-month-old daughter of parents Emma and Wayne, who, right after having major heart surgery, was diagnosed with the coronavirus. Erin and her family have been fighting for her life for her entire life at this point, and are now celebrating yet another victory as last Friday, she was said to have beaten COVID-19, despite all odds.

Meet Erin, the 6-month-old baby who has shown that nothing is ever truly impossible in the face of diversity

Image credits: Emma Bates

So, let’s rewind. Emma and Wayne Bates had been trying to conceive for ten years when they received word that they were finally expecting. Baby Erin was born October 8th, 2019.

However, nearly two months later, on November 29th, they found out that little Erin had a rare & dangerous heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallots. Another month later, on December 23rd, Erin had the much-needed Fallot heart repair surgery and spent a week in intensive care.

After only two days in the cardiac ward, she was admitted back to the ICU after contracting RSV, a virus that causes respiratory tract infections. Her lungs ended up collapsing and she was diagnosed with bronchomalacia, the weakening of cartilage in the walls of the bronchial tubes, and tracheomalacia, the narrowing of the airways.

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Image credits: Emma Bates

Despite having heart and lung problems, under intensive care, and in post-op, Erin managed to beat COVID-19

Image credits: www.facebook.com

It was eventually discovered that she couldn’t breathe without the help of a breathing machine due to the fact that her heart had grown in a way that pushes against her airways. Since then, the parents were told to prepare for an extended stay at the hospital as Erin will have to grow bigger and to see if things work out on their own in a few months’ time. If not, they will try surgery again.

As if things weren’t bad already, on April 10th, Erin contracted the coronavirus, effectively extending her ongoing 4-month stay at the hospital. However, by this point, she is a certified warrior and, despite her life hanging by a thread, the doctors announced that she had pulled through and beaten COVID-19.

Image credits: Emma Bates

This serves as a great example that COVID is not a death sentence for people with pre-existing conditions

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Image credits: Emma Bates

Erin’s dad Wayne explained that the virus had hit her hard and there were ups and downs, but it serves as proof that the coronavirus is not a death sentence for people who have other pre-existing conditions. She overcame the problems and is now living with a smile on her face.
Needless to say, after such a roller coaster, the parents are greatly relieved.

Throughout this time, only one parent was allowed to stay with the baby at the hospital, and that was Erin’s mother Emma. However, for the first time in a while since the COVID-19 diagnosis, Wayne was finally able to go to the hospital and see his daughter.

Image credits: Emma Bates

Erin overcame COVID against all odds, but she still has other battles to fight, for which a GoFundMe campaign was launched

Image credits: Emma Bates

News of this spread quickly through the internet. And it shouldn’t come as a surprise as it’s the kind of positive and feel-good news that everyone needs nowadays given that much of the world is in lockdown and the virus is still at large. It’s a message of hope that hints at things starting to get better.

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A GoFundMe campaign was launched to help the family deal with the emotional, physical, and financial burden of this situation, so consider donating to the cause here. And it doesn’t have to stop here as you can also join the Erin’s Journey Facebook group set up by Emma and Wayne if you want to follow little Erin’s journey through life and her medical treatment.

Watch a video of the moment Erin was finally moved out of isolation and officially beat COVID-19

The internet showed its support for the family and thanked the doctors for their immense help

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Robertas Lisickis

Robertas Lisickis

Author, BoredPanda staff

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Some time ago, Robertas used to spend his days watching how deep the imprint in his chair will become as he wrote for Bored Panda. Wrote about pretty much everything under and beyond the sun. Not anymore, though. He's now probably playing Gwent or hosting Dungeons and Dragons adventures for those with an inclination for chaos.

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Robertas Lisickis

Robertas Lisickis

Author, BoredPanda staff

Some time ago, Robertas used to spend his days watching how deep the imprint in his chair will become as he wrote for Bored Panda. Wrote about pretty much everything under and beyond the sun. Not anymore, though. He's now probably playing Gwent or hosting Dungeons and Dragons adventures for those with an inclination for chaos.

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dizasterdeb avatar
Rosie Hamilton
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Happy life little girl! Congratulations to the family and to the staff at Alder Hey Children's hospital! ♥❤♥♥ NHS

khwahish-n avatar
Nea
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cant even imagine what the family must be going through. For all these tough days, may you soon get a beautiful life full of loads of blessings that the world has to give. I wish you all the beat.

wianjama avatar
Rissie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Certified warrior indeed :) That is one beautiful and strong kiddo! And her eyes look straight into your soul!

laurenwatts avatar
LoPandas
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like in every picture that she is staring at the camera she is saying "Did you ever doubt me?"

crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am sorry to be negative here despite the happy story, but the untold catastrophe behind this is that a baby after serious surgery can catch a virus. Hospital-acquired infections kills ten thousands in the US and Europe alone each year. The same measurements that would stop the spread of these would stop the spread of a virus like corona within hospitals. Ensuring that hospitals only heal people and do not make them sick is a major task for the years to come!

btaskesen avatar
Bengü Taşkesen
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All the best luck to Erin, but "in the face of adversity", not "diversity". Diversity didn't make her sick and Bored Panda needs an editor.

earloflincoln avatar
Martha Meyer
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That poor baby! What a bunch of horrible stuff to happen one after the other!

chrisdifonso avatar
Chris DiFonso
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The photos are heartbreaking. I'm so happy Erin is alive and better.

heatherlowekamp avatar
Ginny Weasley
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Baby is gorgeous and a fighter. I hope she lives a long and happy life.

lilymcfadden avatar
Lily Mcfadden
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wow she made it through all of that well done little lady well done

sophialazzaro avatar
sophia lazzaro
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awwww, precious! That is incredible! Later in life during flu season, she'll be on top of the world <3

smaraelena avatar
Smara Elena
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think you might've meant "in the face of adversity" instead of "in the face of diversity"

josephkarthic avatar
Joseph Karthic
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I couldnt sleep for 2 days when My 1 month old baby didnt poop for 4 days....These parents have impossible strong heart for what theyre going through,,,Seeing the baby in that condition breaks my heart....May god be with them and protect the baby....

240561 avatar
miley stewert
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

omg I fell so bad for the parents they must have been very stressed whwen she was in the hospital

nancykuehnel avatar
Annie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful little warrior! Best wishes to her and her family.

chuayeehwee avatar
CHUA YEE HWEE
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

that girl is one tough baby! Congrats on surviving heart, lung, and COVID-19!hope she has a healthy and wonderful life! I can't imagine what she has gone through!

bradcrawford avatar
Brad crawford
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

After years of working in construction and smoking cigarettes,I was diagnosed with COPD and pulmonary fibrosis. As my illness progressed, I found myself  relying on supplemental oxygen around the clock. Even getting out of bed became a challenge.My doctors and specialists recommended a lung transplant, but after researching the pros and cons of such a drastic procedure, I decided to try something less invasive. I contacted multivitamin herbal cure cape town for organic natural treatment you can search for them on google. Following the COPD and pulmonary fibrosis herbal treatment procedure , my lung function has improved dramatically after my first four weeks of the herbal formula .My quality of life has gotten a lot better. I was amazed that I could breathe without any dead air. I no longer need oxygen and look forward to continued improvement because a specialist told me already I have a chance of getting rid of my condition totally due to the herbal treatment effectiveness . If you

bradcrawford avatar
Brad crawford
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

After years of working in construction and smoking cigarettes,I was diagnosed with COPD and pulmonary fibrosis, i started on COPD/IPF Herbal formula treatment from multivitamin herbal cure, the treatment worked incredibly for my lungs condition. I used the herbal treatment for over 7 weeks, it reversed my chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. My severe shortness of breath, dry cough, low energy, fatigue, chest tightness and others gradually disappeared. Visit multivitamin herbal cure official web page multivitamincare . org This COPD and pulmonary fibrosis treatment has improved the quality of my life greatly, i breath much better and It feels comfortable!

ahcarter2006 avatar
hopie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This needs soooooooo many more upvotes! What an amazing little fighter

smaraelena avatar
Smara Elena
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

sharronlynnparsons avatar
sharron lynn parsons
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tremendous happy ending, a long fight for life, parents had to be strong, Erin is a fighter, much love to the family, God bless !!!

dizasterdeb avatar
Rosie Hamilton
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Happy life little girl! Congratulations to the family and to the staff at Alder Hey Children's hospital! ♥❤♥♥ NHS

khwahish-n avatar
Nea
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cant even imagine what the family must be going through. For all these tough days, may you soon get a beautiful life full of loads of blessings that the world has to give. I wish you all the beat.

wianjama avatar
Rissie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Certified warrior indeed :) That is one beautiful and strong kiddo! And her eyes look straight into your soul!

laurenwatts avatar
LoPandas
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like in every picture that she is staring at the camera she is saying "Did you ever doubt me?"

crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am sorry to be negative here despite the happy story, but the untold catastrophe behind this is that a baby after serious surgery can catch a virus. Hospital-acquired infections kills ten thousands in the US and Europe alone each year. The same measurements that would stop the spread of these would stop the spread of a virus like corona within hospitals. Ensuring that hospitals only heal people and do not make them sick is a major task for the years to come!

btaskesen avatar
Bengü Taşkesen
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All the best luck to Erin, but "in the face of adversity", not "diversity". Diversity didn't make her sick and Bored Panda needs an editor.

earloflincoln avatar
Martha Meyer
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That poor baby! What a bunch of horrible stuff to happen one after the other!

chrisdifonso avatar
Chris DiFonso
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The photos are heartbreaking. I'm so happy Erin is alive and better.

heatherlowekamp avatar
Ginny Weasley
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Baby is gorgeous and a fighter. I hope she lives a long and happy life.

lilymcfadden avatar
Lily Mcfadden
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wow she made it through all of that well done little lady well done

sophialazzaro avatar
sophia lazzaro
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awwww, precious! That is incredible! Later in life during flu season, she'll be on top of the world <3

smaraelena avatar
Smara Elena
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think you might've meant "in the face of adversity" instead of "in the face of diversity"

josephkarthic avatar
Joseph Karthic
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I couldnt sleep for 2 days when My 1 month old baby didnt poop for 4 days....These parents have impossible strong heart for what theyre going through,,,Seeing the baby in that condition breaks my heart....May god be with them and protect the baby....

240561 avatar
miley stewert
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

omg I fell so bad for the parents they must have been very stressed whwen she was in the hospital

nancykuehnel avatar
Annie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful little warrior! Best wishes to her and her family.

chuayeehwee avatar
CHUA YEE HWEE
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

that girl is one tough baby! Congrats on surviving heart, lung, and COVID-19!hope she has a healthy and wonderful life! I can't imagine what she has gone through!

bradcrawford avatar
Brad crawford
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

After years of working in construction and smoking cigarettes,I was diagnosed with COPD and pulmonary fibrosis. As my illness progressed, I found myself  relying on supplemental oxygen around the clock. Even getting out of bed became a challenge.My doctors and specialists recommended a lung transplant, but after researching the pros and cons of such a drastic procedure, I decided to try something less invasive. I contacted multivitamin herbal cure cape town for organic natural treatment you can search for them on google. Following the COPD and pulmonary fibrosis herbal treatment procedure , my lung function has improved dramatically after my first four weeks of the herbal formula .My quality of life has gotten a lot better. I was amazed that I could breathe without any dead air. I no longer need oxygen and look forward to continued improvement because a specialist told me already I have a chance of getting rid of my condition totally due to the herbal treatment effectiveness . If you

bradcrawford avatar
Brad crawford
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

After years of working in construction and smoking cigarettes,I was diagnosed with COPD and pulmonary fibrosis, i started on COPD/IPF Herbal formula treatment from multivitamin herbal cure, the treatment worked incredibly for my lungs condition. I used the herbal treatment for over 7 weeks, it reversed my chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. My severe shortness of breath, dry cough, low energy, fatigue, chest tightness and others gradually disappeared. Visit multivitamin herbal cure official web page multivitamincare . org This COPD and pulmonary fibrosis treatment has improved the quality of my life greatly, i breath much better and It feels comfortable!

ahcarter2006 avatar
hopie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This needs soooooooo many more upvotes! What an amazing little fighter

smaraelena avatar
Smara Elena
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

sharronlynnparsons avatar
sharron lynn parsons
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tremendous happy ending, a long fight for life, parents had to be strong, Erin is a fighter, much love to the family, God bless !!!

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