KSL GIVE-A-THON

Primary Children’s gives Cammdon a new chance at life

Dec 2, 2021, 10:29 PM | Updated: Dec 3, 2021, 9:45 am

When Cammdon was born everything seemed perfect. He was born full term. He was absolutely healthy. No issues.

But then at 18 months old his health took a turn.

“He was really sick one night in bed….aspirated we gave him CPR. He was taken to the emergency room. Everything seemed normal,” Jessie Edwards, Cammdon’s step-dad said. “And then he started having seizures.”

The seizures then became a constant concern.

“I think watching your child have seizures is one of the scariest things,” Darci Edwards, Cammdon’s mom said. “Because really, there’s nothing you can do.”

“Medicines weren’t helping with it,” Jessie said.

“They really didn’t know what what was going on. He had all the doctors baffled,” Darci said. “We would have breakthroughs where he wouldn’t have seizures. And then we would go months with seizures.”

Primary Children’s Hospital became a second home to them.

“The last stay, we were there from November to February. And it was December 31, that they came in and was like, we’re out of options. We don’t know what else to do anymore,” Darci said.

Brain Surgery seemed like their only option.

“Where they cut his brain in half to try and stop the seizures from bouncing side to side,” Darci said.

But just days before the surgery a breakthrough discovery was made using a relatively new test available at Primary Children’s hospital.

According to Dr. Josh Bonkowsky, Director, Center for Personalized Medicine at Primary Children’s Hospital, “rapid whole genome sequencing is the technology that lets us analyze all the genetic material. So that’s the whole genome part.”

“Oftentimes, we don’t know what’s causing the illness and the genetic tests, this rapid whole genome sequencing, lets us look to see, is there a genetic change that’s causing the illness?” said Bonkowsky.

It was discovered that Cammdon had a vitamin B6 deficiency.

“We’re suspecting that he’s gone three years of life without vitamin B6,” Jessie said. “And the reason why we didn’t see signs of anything, is because for 18 months, he was able to make it work.”

“It was a Sunday night and Jesse had just left to come back home to go to work,” Darci said. “And they called me and the doctor was so excited. She’s like, ‘This is it. We found it.'”“They came back and said, ‘We just found a B6 gene mutation, we’re gonna try to give him a heavy amount of vitamin B6,'” Jessie said. “And I was like, Yeah, vitamin. That’s it. That’s what we’re gonna do. And she’s like, No, really that this is it. And so he’s been seizure free ever since,” Darci said.

That was nearly 2 years ago. The Edwards credit the doctors and other care givers at Primary Children’s Hospital for saving Cammdon’s life.I don’t believe there’s a better hospital,” Jessie said. “They cried with us and they were defeated with us. But they also celebrated with us,” Darci said. “It’s an amazing place,” Jessie said.  “I always said it was the best worst place in the world.”

“I don’t think there’s enough thanks in the world to give to them,” Darci said.

Their journey with Cammdon has given his parents a new perspective.

“My perspective of life is I don’t let the little things get to me anymore, Jessie said. “He’s my role model.”

“It’s made us really celebrate Camden every day in the life we have with him and the true miracle he is,” Darci said.

Primary Children’s hospital provides miracles for so many children. Help children like Cammdon by donating here KSLKids.com

KSL 5 TV Live

KSL Give-A-Thon

Ollie Judy, a 3-year-old boy who suffers from a rare genetic disease called CD-K. Ollie is only the...

Tamara Vaifanua and Mary Culbertson, KSL TV

Idaho family celebrates Primary Children’s Hospital for the care they receive for 3-year-old Ollie

3-year-old Ollie battles a rare genetic disorder called CD-k. His family travels weekly from Idaho to Primary Children's Hospital to get him the care he needs.

2 months ago

Give A Thon...

Madison Swenson

How to donate to Primary Children’s Hospital during KSL’s Give-A-Thon

The annual KSL Give-A-Thon is Wednesday, Nov. 30 in partnership with Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital. Here's how you can donate.

1 year ago

...

Carole Mikita

Family of boy with rare genetic disorder thankful for care at Primary Children’s

With a big smile and a clap of his hand, anyone can tell that Emmett Bleyle is a lively, happy 5-year-old. His parents will tell you that every day of his life is a gift.

1 year ago

Follow @KSL5TVLike us on Facebook...

No Author

KSL Give-A-Thon

KSL NewsRadio and TV, together with KSL Sports, FM100.3 and 103.5 The Arrow have teamed up to raise more money for the kids being served by the hospital than ever before! Listen and watch for compelling stories, interviews with patients, families and hospital staff. We’ll share the story of this incredible hospital and the hundreds […]

1 year ago

...

Ashley Moser, KSL TV

Early diagnosis of rare heart condition helps Amaya on her road to recovery

Amaya was born with a rare heart condition, which, fortunately, was found before she was born.

2 years ago

...

Angie Denison, KSL TV

Young boy battles severe heart defect, endures multiple heart surgeries

Talmage has a severe heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. At three days old, he underwent his first heart surgery. Since then, he has undergone two more complex, open-heart surgeries.

2 years ago

Sponsored Articles

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Users display warnings about the use of artificial intelligence (AI), access to malicious software ...

Les Olson

How to Stay Safe from Cybersecurity Threats

Read our tips for reading for how to respond to rising cybersecurity threats in 2023 and beyond to keep yourself and your company safe.

Design mockup half in white and half in color of luxury house interior with open plan living room a...

Lighting Design

Lighting Design 101: Learn the Basics

These lighting design basics will help you when designing your home, so you can meet both practical and aesthetic needs.

an antler with large horns int he wilderness...

Three Bear Lodge

Yellowstone in the Fall: A Wildlife Spectacle Worth Witnessing

While most people travel to this park in the summer, late fall in Yellowstone provides a wealth of highlights to make a memorable experience.

a diverse group of students raising their hands in a classroom...

Little Orchard Preschool

6 Benefits of Preschool for Kids

Some of the benefits of preschool for kids include developing independence, curiosity, and learning more about the world.

Primary Children’s gives Cammdon a new chance at life