As an infant, he survived after 55 minutes of CPR. A year later, he needs help

As an infant, he survived after 55 minutes of CPR. A year later, he needs help

When 1-year-old Bryson Gutierrez McCoy saw the sun again after spending eight months in Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, he smiled widely. His mother, Lilchrist McCoy Alcantara, 33, and his father, Brandon Gutierrez, 31, had awaited that moment since the child was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit in Hollywood last December. Back then, Bryson had gone into cardiac arrest and required 55 minutes of CPR. “My child died in front of me,” says Lilchrist. “I had no choice but to be strong and figure things out.” The resuscitation caused brain injury, required the amputation of his left leg, and left Bryson dependent on a feeding tube. “It showed me to be grateful for the things we take for granted,” Lilchrist says. “When he got discharged, I went grocery shopping and put him in the cart, and I was like, ‘Wow, I can put my baby in the cart’ … something that probably anyone would take for granted.”

Soon after receiving CPR, Bryson was diagnosed with a rare condition called ALCAPA, or anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery. The congenital condition, in which the left coronary artery originates from the pulmonary artery instead of the aorta, makes it hard for the heart to get the oxygen it needs. Most cases are detected within the first two months of life. If left untreated, it is fatal for 90% of infants before the end of their first year. “I feel so blessed, especially thinking back to that group of other families that came in at the same time,” Lilchrist says. “He was the sickest out of those children, and he was the only one who made it out. He’s my little hero.”

Lilchrist, who lives in Hallandale Beach, is a stay-at-home mom to Bryson and daughter Lilia, 3. She takes Bryson to physical, occupational and speech therapy each week. Brandon works in sales at Honda of Aventura. During his hospitalization, Bryson underwent 11 surgeries. Two weeks after he was admitted, doctors said they would have to wean Bryson off the system that temporarily acts as an artificial heart and lungs. “I took everybody out of the room, and I closed the door,” Lilchrist recalls. “I said, ‘Lord, if it’s your will, take him peacefully, but if it’s not, then please give my son another chance.’” In March, Bryson had open-heart surgery, and two weeks later, his left leg was amputated.

He learned to sit up, then crawl. Now he is adjusting to a prosthetic leg that he received in September. “Our mindset is calmer and happier having our son back home,” says his father. “It’s something very surreal because you’re watching your son be as strong as a person as you can’t even imagine.” Doctors doubted that he could walk or breathe on his own, but he has defied expectations. “My biggest fear is if he’ll need a heart,” Lilchrist says.

The family is still adjusting to the routine. To help with that, Lilchrist is asking Wish Book for help purchasing a Jeep Wrangler sturdy and spacious enough to carry both children during their long days of appointments. She also requests clothing for both children (female, size 3T, 7 toddler shoes; male, size 18-24 months, 4 baby shoes) and a laptop so she can begin working from home. “Bryson has so much resilience,” says Phylecia Etienne Etienne, a case worker at Early Steps, a federally funded program that assists at-risk infants, who nominated Bryson for Wish Book. “He’s meeting his developmental milestones … It’s not something anyone could expect to happen to their child, so I like their story of resilience.”

One of the biggest lessons Lilchrist says she learned is the importance of speaking up for her children. She has often had to challenge doctors, ask for second opinions and push back when something did not feel right. She wants other parents to know they can question decisions, even in the most difficult moments. “Don’t stop fighting until the very end and never give up,” says Lilchrist. “If I had just given up or accepted certain decisions, he probably wouldn’t be here.”