According to Skye, the mother of 8-year-old Marley, her son suffered from a persistent cough for five years before doctors discovered the cause.
Marley faced breathing difficulties and constant coughing throughout his young life. Doctors initially diagnosed him with various conditions, such as asthma and allergies.
Due to his severe cough and breathing struggles, Marley’s parents decided to seek hospital treatment for both the cough and the blockage in his throat. He was admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit, where surgeons eventually identified the real reason behind his prolonged cough.
According to Marley’s mother, doctors revealed that her son had swallowed a small plastic toy when he was a three-year-old toddler. This tiny plastic flower had remained lodged in his throat unnoticed, despite numerous treatments for asthma and allergies.
Surgeons successfully removed the plastic flower, and Marley spoke about the experience from his hospital bed at the Children’s Hospital.
Marley was scheduled for surgery to repair the damage to his airway. When asked about the sensation of having a plastic toy stuck in his throat for five years, Marley, who didn’t speak much during the interview, stated that he hardly felt the presence of the toy in his throat.
Marley’s mother also shared that her son experienced coughing fits while eating, sometimes lasting for hours, which became a source of concern.
The blockage in his throat affected Marley’s overall health and even impacted his ability to keep up with his peers during sports activities.
Despite the initial asthma diagnosis, Marley’s mother was skeptical due to his coughing episodes after eating, which is not typical of asthma. She expressed her shock upon discovering the toy blocking her son’s throat but felt relieved that it was something manageable and not a more severe condition.
Skye’s message to other parents is to advocate for their children if they sense something is wrong and to persistently seek answers. She’s grateful she did so because it ultimately led to the discovery and resolution of Marley’s condition, allowing him to be healthy today.
