Born prematurely at 23 weeks, Édouard found the strength to live

It was only once she arrived at the CHUS, thanks to the expertise of the neonatology specialists, that Lydia regained hope of saving her baby’s life.

‍“Without the CHUS and its team, I wouldn’t be here today with my son. They did the impossible to give him a chance to live,” says Lydia, still deeply moved by what she went through.

A race against time

Rushed to Fleurimont Hospital, Lydia was cared for by a medical team that had never faced such a case before: saving a baby under 23 weeks of gestation. Thanks to a treatment, they managed to gain two precious days, crossing the critical threshold of 23 weeks of viability.

On February 4, 2024, an emergency C-section allowed Lydia to give birth to her little boy, a tiny fighter who was immediately placed on a respirator. “When I woke up, my partner told me he wanted to name our son Édouard. He was so excited that he didn’t even think to tell me he was alive. It felt unreal,” Lydia recalls.

A mother, an entrepreneur, a fighter

While her baby was fighting for his life, Lydia had to juggle an overwhelming reality: constant trips between the hospital, her home, and her business, all while caring for her 14-month-old daughter. Without pause, she found the strength to carry on thanks to the support of her family and the neonatology team.

“The hardest part was this immense sense of guilt. I felt guilty for leaving my son alone at the hospital, guilty for not being present enough for my daughter at home, and guilty for asking so much of my sister, who was managing the business. I felt like I was being pulled in every direction, never doing enough,” she admits.

Giving back to offer hope

Today, Édouard is a year and a half old. Despite some lung aftereffects, he is doing well, living the normal life of a toddler, and even attending daycare. For Lydia, this miracle is a source of immense gratitude. That’s why, with her business La Shoppe SaladeBar, she chose to give back to the CHUS Foundation. She is now part of Entreprises Papillon, local businesses committed to supporting their community.

“I chose to share my story to help even just one mother in my situation. There are very few children born at 23 weeks, and if my testimony can help one woman break her isolation, that will already mean so much,” explains Lydia.

Together, let’s change lives

Lydia and Édouard’s story shows how important it is to have access to specialized care here at home. Every day, hundreds of people walk through the doors of our two hospitals.

Your donation to the CHUS Foundation supports research projects, funds the purchase of cutting-edge equipment, and ensures compassionate care for patients and their families.

Would you like to follow Lydia’s example and support the health of families in our community? Every action counts. Give.

Do you own a business and want to learn more about Entreprises Papillon? Discover how you can make a difference today.