Baby Weston's PICU Fight After Turning Blue

There are few moments in life more joyful than bringing home a newborn. The anticipation, the tiny fingers, sleepy smiles and quiet dreams of everything to come — is a season filled with hope for Mom, Dad and everyone awaiting the birth of this little life.

Sometimes, that joy is interrupted in ways no parent could ever prepare for.

Just weeks after his birth, baby Weston’s story took a terrifying turn.

On January 1, 2025 — a day meant for New Year's celebration — Allyson Boykin and her husband rushed their newborn son to WakeMed Children’s - Emergency Department. Instead of ringing in the new year, they were facing every parent’s worst nightmare. Weston was turning blue. He was struggling to breathe, and the episodes kept happening.

Within moments of arrival to the emergency department, the care team moved swiftly. Weston was admitted and transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), where highly specialized teams began closely monitoring his condition. He experienced repeated episodes of oxygen desaturation and dangerously low heart rates — each one as frightening as the last.

As machines beeped and teams worked urgently around him, Allyson and her husband were navigating a flood of fear and uncertainty. Amid it all, they found WakeMed's compassion to be something steady to hold onto.

“In the midst of an incredibly stressful and uncertain time, they made us feel as supported and comforted as they could,” Allyson shares.

The WakeMed team ran extensive testing, searching for answers while ensuring Weston remained stable. Just as importantly, they cared for his parents — explaining each step, offering reassurance and never losing sight of the emotional toll.

Eventually, Weston was discharged home on oxygen, with hope that the episodes would resolve.

Within months, hope quickly gave way to fear again with the return of his desaturations and brachychardia.

On March 7, the episodes returned — frequent, unpredictable and just as alarming. Allyson and her husband didn’t hesitate. They rushed Weston back to WakeMed Children’s - Emergency Department, desperate for answers.

What followed left a lasting impression on their hearts.

“During that stay, the care we received was extraordinary,” Allyson recalls. “I will never forget WakeMed pediatric hospitalist, Travis Honeycutt, MD, coming to find us after recognizing Weston’s name. He got down on his knees to speak with us and promised he would not give up until we found answers.”

That promise became a turning point.

Weston was placed on respiratory support to aid his breathing while the team continued an in-depth evaluation. Around the clock, providers worked tirelessly — monitoring, testing, adjusting and collaborating — to understand what was causing his dangerous episodes.

Dr. Honeycutt explains, "Due to the recurrent oxygen desaturations, Weston underwent extensive diagnostic evaluation with the help of multiple pediatric specialists. His apneic spells slowly improved with time and a multimodal treatment regimen. Caring for Weston and his family and seeing him recover was a true blessing for all of us!"

Through it all, the Boykin family never felt alone.

“Every provider went above and beyond to care for Weston and support our family,” Allyson says. “We truly felt safe, loved and deeply looked after.”

On March 11, after days of careful monitoring and progress, the PICU team made the decision to remove Weston from the ventilator. He responded well. The same day, he was discharged home once again — this time, stronger.

Since then, Weston has been off oxygen and free from the episodes that once brought so much fear.

Today, his story feels nothing short of miraculous.

“Weston is our little miracle,” Allyson glows. “We will forever be grateful to the PICU team who stood by us every step of the way.”

Joy turned into a journey through uncertainty — and ultimately, a story of resilience, hope and extraordinary care — thanks to WakeMed!

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About WakeMed Children's - Emergency Department

Specifically designed to meet the emergency care needs of children, the Children’s Emergency Department was the first freestanding facility of its kind in North Carolina and the only dedicated Children’s Emergency Department in Wake County, caring for thousands of pediatric patients every year. A non-threatening, comfortable environment with a cheerful atmosphere, bright murals, children’s wall-art and child-sized furnishings. All this and a staff of doctors, nurses and support staff who know how to treat kids like kids, not little adults.

About WakeMed PICU

At WakeMed's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), we provide expert treatment for life-threatening childhood diseases, automobile accident injuries, respiratory and heart problems, and other critical illnesses and injuries. Our PICU is the only unit of its kind in Wake County. Our staff offers family-centered, personalized care in a unit designed especially for children. With an experienced team of pediatric specialists, critical-care nurses, child life specialists, child psychologists, social workers, respiratory therapists and chaplains, our PICU meets the physical needs as well as the emotional and psychological needs of children.