SEATTLE — Cali Fager wasn’t thinking about anything else when her 1-year-old son was having surgery inside Seattle Children’s hospital Friday.
“Not a lot of kids are able to qualify for this surgery,” Fager said. “They have to be pretty confident that it’s going to work and thank God for our neurology team and our surgeon. It’s the hardest thing I have ever gone through in my life."
Fager’s son, William, is recovering after a procedure to treat his epilepsy.
"His swelling has gone down," Fager said. "He’s already up, wanting to dance and play and he’s doing really good."
While they relish the good news, the challenges just keep coming for the eastern Washington family.
On Saturday morning, the day after the surgery, they realized someone stole their family car from the hospital parking garage.
They never imagined it was at risk.
“I’d gotten him Halloween stuff because he has to spend Halloween in a hospital - all that was in there - we just have so much stuff [in the car],” Fager said. “I did not ever think that someone would be that lowlife to steal a car from Seattle Children’s."
Seattle police confirmed officers responded to the hospital. Investigators have surveillance video and are working on the case.
The family drove five hours from Ford, Washington, and is now stranded without a way to get back home while their 1-year-old is in as delicate a state as ever – recovering from brain surgery.
“It’s very crappy that someone would go to a children’s hospital of all places and steal a car,” Fager said.
The family who put their child’s life in a surgeon’s hands is now turning to the community to help – raising money and calling for prayers through a GoFundMe.
While the weeks ahead will be challenging, their baby is out of surgery and recovering, something that makes everything else bearable for this family.
In a statement, a Seattle Children’s spokesperson said the hospital is “deeply sorry that this occurred and are working closely with Seattle Police Department on this matter.” The spokesperson added that the hospital is going to “review our security protocols and always aim to provide a safe, secure environment.”