When Colton Jacque was born, his parents Brandy and Fred anticipated meeting their happy, healthy baby. But when Colton’s care team placed oxygen saturation monitors on his fingers and toes, the results told them something was wrong. The Jacques were unprepared for what was ahead.
Colton was quickly airlifted from Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL to the Janeway Children’s Hospital in St. John’s, NL, where he was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. Colton needed heart surgery that could only be done at the IWK Health Centre. Colton was airlifted to Halifax and immediately admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
For the next 17 weeks, Colton and his family stayed in the NICU while his care team addressed some issues with his abdominal organs. Once those were resolved, Colton was transferred to a regular inpatient unit where he remained under observation as he grew strong for surgery.
During their stay, the Jacques family generously allowed the IWK Foundation to document their journey for six-part web series called Heart Warrior. In the episodes below, you can follow the Jacque family as they prepared for surgery, managed unexpected news and cared for Colton during his recovery. Through this series, you are able to take glimpse into the day to day life of just one IWK family.
“If I was to say anything to Colton’s health care team, it would be a trillion times thank you. I am so grateful and blessed that they were on his team—Team Colton.”
~Brandy, Colton’s Mom
Heart Warrior - Episode One
Released February 27, 2020
Meet the Jacque family. They are from Postville, a remote town in Northern Labrador. They have been inpatients at the IWK Health Centre for over five months. Learn about the journey that has led them here, and what lies ahead for the family.
Did you know? The Jacque family's hometown has a population of approximately 180 residents. Located 180 km north of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Postville relies primarily on air and boat access for transportation and delivery of goods.
Heart Warrior - Episode Two
Released March 5, 2020
It’s the night before 23-week-old Colton Jacque’s open-heart surgery at the IWK Health Centre. Learn more about Colton’s diagnosis and upcoming procedure from his pediatric congenital heart surgeon, Dr. David Horne, then follow the family as they prepare for the big day.
Did you know? Upon arriving at the IWK Health Centre, the Jacque family spent 117 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This 100 per cent donor-funded unit is the first of its kind in Canada, and includes 38 private single-family rooms that provides privacy, infection control and up-to-date technology to patient families.
Heart Warrior - Episode Three
Released March 12, 2020
It’s the day of 23-week-old Colton Jacque’s open-heart surgery at the IWK Health Centre. In this episode of Heart Warrior, we follow the Jacque family through this emotional day.
Heart Warrior - Episode Four
Released April 2, 2020
In episode four of Heart Warrior, we join the Jacque family after Colton’s surgery was cancelled and follow them up to his rescheduled procedure.
Heart Warrior - Episode Five
Released April 9, 2020
It's been three days since Colton's open-heart surgery. In episode five of the Heart Warrior series, we rejoin the Jacque family as Colton recovers in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).
Heart Warrior - Episode Six
Released April 16, 2020
After seven months at the IWK Health Centre, the Jacque family is being discharged. Follow along as their friends at the IWK bid them farewell and as the family looks to the future.
