Yahoo Sports Browns WR Ryan Switzer asks for prayers after 9-month-old son hospitalized with COVID-19
Ryan Switzer went through the toughest day of his life on Saturday.
The Cleveland Browns wide receiver revealed on Twitter that his 9-month-old son Christian had to be taken to the hospital after waking up "in his own blood." The child has tested positive for COVID-19.
In a series of tweets, Switzer updated fans and asked for prayers as Christian received three blood transfusions and underwent a CT scan. Fortunately, surgeons are reportedly confident the issue can be fixed after finding the source of the bleeding. Surgery is set for Sunday morning.
Switzer's full story, composed via five tweets:
I’m asking everyone that this tweet comes across to please just take a second and say a prayer for our son Christian. He’s 9 months and currently in the hospital after he woke up in his blood. He’s Covid positive.
The doctors are still trying to find the source of the bleeding. He’s been getting fluids and medicine as he waits for a CT scan. They’ve made us aware that he needs a blood transfusion. Praying that he avoids surgery. Only 1 parent is allowed in the room so my wife is with him.
Christian has went through 3 transfusions as his hemoglobin levels were very low. They’re finally up enough where he can get his CT. Waiting on the results as they moved him and Gabie into the NICU. Prayers..
One of the scans finally found the source of the bleeding and the surgeons are confident they can fix his issue. Because Christian is stable right now, they’re scheduling surgery for the morning.
We’re heartbroken this has happened to our baby boy, but we’re also overwhelmed by the amount of people who have reached out in support of Christian. This has been the toughest day of Gabie and I’s life. Please continue to pray Christian stabilizes and makes it through surgery.
Switzer updated Christian's progress Sunday and confirmed he will undergo surgery after a stable night and another CT scan confirmed the source.
Christian stayed stable throughout the night, & another CT confirmed the source & need for surgery this morning. Mom & him are exhausted but your prayers have kept ALL of us, esp. Christian going. May God have his hands on the surgeons and be with Christian as he’s sleeping. pic.twitter.com/ivYlL1BmZC
— Ryan Switzer (@Switz) March 7, 2021
He updated his status while in surgery, writing: "Our first update. Christian is still in surgery. The doctors originally thought on the source of his bleeding didn't turn out to be the case. They're bringing in another doctor for more explanatory measures to try and find it."
Nearly three hours later he updated fans again with a photo of Christian stable after surgery. The doctors took samples of "several sites of bleeding" and sent them to be biopsied.
Christian is finally out of surgery. The GI specialist found several sites of bleeding. He took samples that were sent off to biopsy to see what could be causing it, I guess. He’s stable right now and resting. pic.twitter.com/56vMmRkJVS
— Ryan Switzer (@Switz) March 7, 2021
Switzer and his wife Gabie welcomed Christian to the family on May 25, 2020, when Switzer was still with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The 26-year-old Switzer has been in the NFL since 2016 when the Dallas Cowboys drafted him in the fourth round out of North Carolina. Switzer signed onto the Browns' practice squad after the Steelers waived him last season, and signed a reserve/futures contract with the team at the end of last season.
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