A mother's unwavering instinct and a desperate Facebook plea led to the life-saving diagnosis of her six-week-old baby in Wisconsin, after medical professionals repeatedly dismissed her concerns.
Haley Gagliano's newborn son, Cashton, became inconsolable, arching his back in pain and suffering from violent vomiting. Despite three separate visits to medical facilities, doctors sent him home each time with diagnoses of colic and acid reflux.
'I just knew something was terribly wrong,' Haley stated. 'The mother's instinct in me was screaming. He was screaming in pain, and I felt completely helpless.'
With her concerns continually dismissed, the desperate mum turned to a local Facebook mothers' group as a last resort. She posted a video of Cashton's distressing symptoms, pleading for advice.
The Power of Social Media Intervention
The response was immediate and life-changing. Multiple commenters, some with medical backgrounds, urged Haley to demand a CT scan, specifically suggesting the baby might have a brain bleed.
Heeding this advice, Haley and her partner, Chris, rushed Cashton back to the emergency room. This time, armed with the suggestions from Facebook, they insisted on further investigation.
'The doctors initially resisted,' Chris recalled. 'But we stood our ground. We told them what we feared, and finally, they agreed to the scan.'
A Devastating Diagnosis Confirmed
The CT scan revealed the shocking truth: Cashton had a subdural hematoma—a significant bleed on the brain. He was immediately transferred to the American Family Children's Hospital in Madison for emergency neurosurgery.
Neurosurgeon Dr. Bermans Iskandar successfully performed a procedure to drain the fluid and relieve pressure on Cashton's brain. The surgery was a success, and the baby boy is now on a strong path to recovery.
'We are so grateful to everyone in that Facebook group,' Haley said through tears. 'They gave us the words we needed to get the help he required. They saved our son's life.'
The family is now focused on Cashton's continued recovery and hopes their story empowers other parents to trust their instincts and advocate fiercely for their children's health.
