WILLIAM Mackenzie-Ross went from a happy and chubby toddler to "a bag of bones" within a couple of months.
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An acute illness, characterised by inflammation of blood vessels throughout his body, saw him lose 10kg and confined to a wheelchair for four months.
But thanks to the medical expertise and care received at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, he is now a thriving seven-year-old.
The Echuca boy was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease in 2014, at the age of two.
“He got sick and got red blotches all over his skin, which looked like chicken pox,” his father Richard said.
After spending a night in Echuca hospital, William was transferred to Bendigo hospital where he stayed for two weeks.
“They didn't know what was wrong with him so they sent him to the Royal Children's Hospital,” Richard said.
"When they told us he had Kawasaki disease, we didn't know what to think because we didn't know what it was."
Kawasaki disease primarily affects young children and infants. It can be characterised by a high fever, inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat, a reddish skin rash and swelling of lymph nodes.
"He lost so much weight because he couldn't eat,” Richard said.
"When he went in, he was chubby toddler and looked like a bag of bones when he left. It was pretty scary.
"His face had drooped like a stroke victim and I could feel his bones when I picked him up."
Over the next two months, William had four blood transfusions and regular heart checks.
Kawasaki is the leading cause of heart disease acquired in childhood as, in some cases, the blood vessels supplying the heart are affected.
“William's heart hasn't been affected which is fantastic news,” Richard said.
When he was finally able to go home, he spent the next four months in a wheelchair and his family had wear gloves to protect him from germs.
It was a six-month recovery and since then, William has only had two flare-ups.
Once, it was triggered by flea powder when he was cuddling the dog and the second time, about two years ago, his skin flared up at school.
“He just spends a few days in hospital where he gets monitored until it clears up,” Richard said.
William continues to have check-ups at Shepparton hospital and the RCH, both of which Richard can't thank enough.
“The RCH helped us with everything we needed,” he said.
“As well as taking care of William, they helped us access government funding for the bills and supported us through everything.
“It's not a good feeling being in there with your child but they helped us through it.”
That is why the family is urging others to support the RCH Good Friday Appeal on Friday.
“You never know when you might need them,” he said.
Thankfully, William can look back at his time there as a distant memory.
“We are so grateful to have happy and healthy children,” Richard said.
“William is funny, cheeky and very mischievous. He loves being outdoors at the family farm with his brother and sister, checking up on the animals - you can’t get him inside.”
To donate to the Good Friday Appeal, visitfundraising.virtualtinshake.com/Echuca-Moama or goodfridayappeal.com.au
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