The emotions, the tension, the back and forth between Baie-Comeau and Quebec, the medical complications, the new diagnosis, the least we can say is that the Morenci-Caron-Plante family has seen all the colors over the past two years.
Antoine, who is 20 months old, already has a lot of life's burdens, even at a young age. Born with a heart disease, he has shown courage since birth. His parents, Marika and Michael, accompany him in this thorny reality. Living on the North Shore, concerns are becoming more frequent.
On January 24, 2022, Marika learned that her son Antoine, still in her womb, suffered from a congenital heart disease.
Its severity can vary, from a very simple disease, which never causes a problem, to a more serious disease.
Unfortunately, the opportunity fell on Antoine's second choice. He was already six days old and had to undergo surgery to have open heart surgery.
As if that wasn't enough, unfortunately complications arose and his heart had to be reopened again.
It occurred to us to approach the big centers
-Marica Blunt
Another bad news
In the summer of 2023, a second diagnosis will occur, severe stenosis of the pulmonary artery, which will result in a third open-heart surgery.
This operation will finally take place on December 7 after flying back from Baie-Comeau-Québec for free last November due to an emergency in the operating room and a stomach that entered the equation.
Marika Blunt and Michael Morenci Caron stayed at their little boy's bedside for a month.
This long period was explained by his recovery, but also by the RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) that Antoine contracted, which caused an irregular heartbeat. For these reasons, Antoine and his parents spent the entire holiday season between the hospital and Ronald McDonald House in Quebec.
The reality of living in the region
All of the health professionals in Antoine's case are in Quebec. This is where they are taken care of. “It occurred to us to move closer to the larger centres,” said Marika Blunt. Antoine's condition is unknown at Baie Comeau Hospital and his mother can't help but be concerned if an emergency arises.
Return travel, daily expenses and unexpected events abroad are expensive, and the couple has to make do with just one salary.
In addition to the three-month follow-up, an aortic catheterization procedure will be performed in 2024.
Financial headache
Since Antoine was born, on May 6, 2022, Marika has not returned to work for obvious reasons. His son's weak immune system is to blame, and doctors prefer that he not join day care until he turns two.
I received QPIP (Quebec Parental Insurance Plan) benefits as well as employment insurance benefits for caregivers.
Today, she is no longer entitled to any funding except family allowances. “Travel is expensive and the bills keep coming,” Ms. Plant explains.
