Christie Ybarra
Sequoia Pathway Coach’s Baby Fights Mysterious NICU Illness
Christie Ybarra and her partner, Darmon Therman, are facing a challenging ordeal as their three-month-old baby boy, Bryce, remains hospitalized at Phoenix Children’s Hospital’s NICU with an undetermined illness. This situation began unexpectedly when Ybarra noticed Bryce had a cough on Halloween morning.
“He probably needs to go to urgent care because he sounded a little raspy,” she recalled telling Therman. After he visited urgent care, Bryce stopped breathing, necessitating an immediate ambulance transfer to the hospital, where he has since been treated.
Initially, doctors diagnosed Bryce with Corona Bronchiolitis. However, his condition has persisted for over a week, raising concerns as Ybarra noted that infants generally recover from this type of illness within a couple of days. Currently, Bryce is receiving oxygen support, and a myriad of specialists have been consulted in hopes of diagnosing his illness.
Among those specialists is a cardiologist who has ruled out heart-related issues. Additionally, doctors are investigating the possibility of pneumonia that might not be visible on x-rays. Yet, despite these efforts, the exact cause of Bryce’s condition remains elusive.
Ybarra expressed gratitude for the hospital staff’s relentless efforts to assist her son. “They’re trying to do everything they can,” she said. “They’re just pulling all strings to try and help him.”
Meanwhile, Therman, who coaches varsity basketball and defensive linemen at Sequoia Pathway Academy, has been managing the family’s other three children during this crisis. The couple’s children include 5-year-old D.J., 4-year-old Carter, and 1.5-year-old Solana.
“Our days have been structured around Bryce’s needs,” Ybarra shared. “At around 1 p.m., he leaves the hospital to pick up the kids from school, takes them to practice, and then heads back to the hospital late at night.” This juggling act illustrates their commitment to family even amidst adversity.
Ybarra mentioned their deep involvement in the community, stemming from Therman’s role as a coach and his mother’s position as the principal at Sequoia Pathway. “We encourage local kids to participate in sports,” she added. “We often host open runs where community members can come together to play.”
In light of their situation, the family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help with expenses. Despite their challenges, Ybarra remains hopeful and advocates for answers as medical professionals work diligently to uncover Bryce’s condition. “There’s been no progress made,” she noted, highlighting the uncertainty that continues to weigh heavily on their family.
