American Idol Alum Emmy Russell Asks Fans To Pray For Her Baby Girl
Emmy Russell and her husband, Tyler Ward, have kept their followers updated while their baby girl is being cared for in the hospital.
On Sunday (July 20), Emmy and Tyler shared that their almost six-month-old daughter, Taylor, had been admitted to the hospital. The couple said Taylor had been fussy for a few days, then they noticed she was having “small spasms” that concerned them.
In a joint video they shared on Instagram, Tyler said, “We’ve noticed that little Taylor has had some seizures and we took her to the hospital today.”
Emmy added, “They were just really concerned about it and wanted to do some checking on her brain.”
The couple asked fans to please keep Taylor in their prayers as they await answers.
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Emmy, who competed on Season 22 of American Idol and is the granddaughter of the late Loretta Lynn, shared two short updates on Monday (July 21).
In the first, Emmy thanked her followers for sending their prayers. She shared that Taylor “did spasm” again that morning. She was undergoing an EEG, and they were waiting on the results and “next steps” after that.
In her second update, Emmy said her baby girl had to spend another night in the hospital. “Please please continue to pray,” she wrote.
Emmy And Tyler Share News After Second Night In The Hospital With Their Daughter
Tyler shared some news about Taylor early on Tuesday (July 22). He paired his update alongside an emotional journey entry, which captures the pain he feels while watching his daughter in the hospital.
“There’s nothing I can do. This short-term suffering will eventually lead to healing… right?” he questions at one point in the journal.
He continued, “Every second feels like five minutes. Her piercing blue eyes communicate chaos. I can’t shut out the sound of her cry. Any sane man would trade his entire inheritance to make it stop.“
Tyler ended his journal entry by writing, “You can’t fully understand love until you KNOW that you’d trade your life to take away their pain.”
In his post’s caption, Tyler said, “She gets her MRI today. Praying it’s normal. Thank you again for showing such support during this very confusing time.”
Emmy also shared Tyler’s post on her Instagram Story. You can read it below.
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Shortly after Tyler shared that post, he and Emmy uploaded another video with a more detailed update on Taylor.
“We learned yesterday that she has infantile spasms,” Tyler said in the clip. “Which, after doing research, it’s 0.02% conditions. So [it’s] very, very rare.”
According to the Boston Children’s Hospital, infantile spasms are:
“…a type of seizure that occurs in babies. The spasms look like a sudden stiffening of muscles, and the baby’s arms, legs, or head may bend forward. The seizures occur in a series of short spasms.”
The spasms require a specific medication to stop them. Tyler said if treated early, the results “can be positive.” He said it was about a 50/50 chance.
Boston Children’s Hospital confirms this, saying, “Early and effective treatment is important in improving the prognosis for these infants, as early responders have better long-term epilepsy and developmental outcomes.”
Taylor hadn’t experienced a spasm that morning (July 22) and seemed more like herself before her MRI. Emmy was also feeling better after having the chance to hold Taylor and sing to her.
Writing in the video’s caption, Emmy said, “Taylor Ray update! Thank you so much for the continued prayers. We really do believe it’s helping shift towards healing.”
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Emmy And Tyler Share Another Update After Taylor’s MRI
Later on Tuesday (July 22), Emmy and Tyler shared another video with an update on Taylor. The results from her MRI came back, and they got some good news.
They shared a clip of someone from Taylor’s medical team saying they “didn’t see anything scary” on the MRI. They were going to pass the charts along to the radiologist. If the radiologist read the results and felt they were “normal,” Taylor could go home.
Three hours later, the radiologist came in and said that everything looked normal on Taylor’s charts, with the exception of “one concern.” Tyler said they’d share more about that concern at some point.
Much to Emmy and Tyler’s relief, they got to bring Taylor home! She’ll be on medication for two weeks before a follow-up appointment.
“It’s actually a miracle,” Emmy said. “With infantile spasms, it’s like very severe and scary. And so the fact that she has no problems with her brain is a miracle.”
Emmy got emotional as she reflected on all the prayers and love they’ve received since sharing the news about Taylor’s hospitalization. She shared even more gratitude in the comments, writing, “your prayers have meant everything! thank you!”
Emmy, Tyler, and Taylor will be in our continued prayers. Watch their encouraging update in the video below.