Millie's parents thought their three-year-old had a stomach ache and rushed her to hospital... now she's fighting for life after swallowing a very common household item
Three-year-old Millie Koski will spend months recovering in the Queensland Children's Hospital in Brisbane, 370km away from her home in Bundaberg.
The toddler was rushed to hospital in early July after a stomach ache, high fever, and green vomit quickly deteriorated into a life-threatening emergency.
Her bowels began to shut down as her condition worsened, and within days, Millie had been airlifted to Brisbane for emergency surgery.
As she was placed on life support, doctors warned her parents Emily and Luke that the next few days would be critical and there was no certainty Millie would survive.
The little girl had swallowed two small high-powered magnets on separate occasions, which had locked together inside her stomach.
The magnets caused catastrophic damage to her digestive system as her bowel leaked into her stomach, as well as severe infection and sepsis.
Surgeons drained more than a litre of pus from Millie's tiny body and removed the majority of her bowel.
Millie will undergo multiple surgeries in the coming weeks, where doctors will attempt to reattach her bowel.
Family and friends have rallied around Millie's parents, who have put their entire lives on hold to be by their daughter's bedside.
'They are far from home, away from their other children, family, and support systems,' a GoFundMe page started by a family friend stated.
'They are facing mounting bills, rent, travel, and living expenses while trying to stay by their little girl's side.
'This is every parent's nightmare, and it's not over yet.
'We are beyond grateful that Millie is still here, thanks to the urgent and expert care she received. This family now faces a long and uncertain road ahead.'
The fundraiser is raising awareness of the life-threatening dangers of high-powered magnets in the hope other families don't have to go through the same ordeal.
The magnets Millie swallowed are banned from being sold in Australia and New Zealand but can be found in products bought overseas or online.
'These tiny but powerful magnets can be found in toys, fridges, electronics, even jewellery,' the fundraiser continued.
'There is simply not enough awareness, and it almost cost Millie her life. Magnets are not toys, and parents everywhere deserve to know how dangerous they can be.
'If this message reaches just one other family and prevents another child from going through what Millie has, then some good can come from this heartbreaking ordeal.'
'Symptoms can take hours or days to appear and can include choking, drooling, stomach ache, discomfort or pain around the face or throat, cramps, nausea, and vomiting.'
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