In August 2016, Kayla and Brent Dunham’s two-year-old son, Grayson, suddenly fell ill with what appeared to be a common stomach bug. He was a healthy and energetic toddler, and his symptoms — vomiting and diarrhea — didn’t raise immediate alarm. But as days passed with no improvement, his condition worsened. Despite five medical consultations, each visit led to a different diagnosis, and the true cause was missed until it was too late.
After being hospitalized, doctors considered several conditions — from a stomach virus to possible intestinal or vascular issues. Grayson’s symptoms grew more severe, including signs of internal pain and blood in his stool. Eventually, he was transferred to a pediatric hospital for advanced care. There, specialists finally diagnosed Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a rare but life-threatening illness that can develop from certain E. coli infections. By the time it was detected, Grayson’s organs were under severe strain.
Grayson was placed in intensive care, and there were moments of hope when treatments seemed to help. However, his condition suddenly declined. On August 15, his hemoglobin levels dropped drastically, and despite medical efforts, he passed away. His parents were devastated, left with unanswered questions about how a healthy child could decline so quickly and why the right diagnosis had taken so long.
Grayson’s mother now shares their story to raise awareness about HUS and its early warning signs, such as bloody diarrhea, fatigue, and severe abdominal pain. She urges parents to trust their instincts, ask for thorough testing, and advocate for their children’s care. While the exact source of the infection was never confirmed, Kayla is determined that her son’s story helps protect others from experiencing the same heartbreak.