“It Could Be Any of Us, At Any Time”: The Armata Story

September 22nd, 2025 | Our Families

Becky had only been working at McDonald’s for six months when her life—and the way she viewed her job- completely changed. 

David was just a month old when his parents, Becky and Chris, knew in their hearts that something was wrong. Their newborn had started vomiting, and something about it didn’t sit right. Trusting their instincts, they rushed him to the ER. 

At first, doctors suspected it was just a reaction to his formula. They recommended switching to Similac Sensitive, and they left feeling a wave of relief- it seemed like an easy fix, and thankfully, nothing more serious. 

But just one day later, the vomiting came back- and this time, it was worse. David was in visible distress, and now there was blood in his stool. Becky didn’t hesitate. She bundled her tiny son in her arms and headed straight back to the hospital, listening to the gut feeling that this was something more. 

Doctors admitted David that night and began running tests. Chris went home to pack an overnight bag, hoping this would be a short stay. But things changed fast. While Chris was gone, David began vomiting again—violently this time. Nurses rushed him back down to the ER and paged the on-call pediatrician. 

Becky stepped outside for a moment, trying to collect herself. It had already been an emotional rollercoaster, and she just needed a breath of fresh air. As she stood there, she saw an ambulance race into the hospital parking lot- but she never imagined it was coming for her baby. 

While she was outside, David’s condition rapidly declined. He had stopped breathing and had begun seizing. The medical team had to intubate him and work quickly to stabilize him. When Becky returned and learned what had happened, she was overwhelmed. In shock. Heartbroken. She called her mom in tears and asked her to come to the hospital immediately to join them, barely able to get the words out. 

When the pediatrician arrived, he knew immediately that what David had been experiencing was a result of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, a condition where the muscles near the stomach thicken and block food from reaching the small intestine. It’s dangerous and, if left untreated, life-threatening, but it explained everything: the vomiting, the blood, the dehydration, the weight loss. 

But their small-town hospital in Ironwood, Michigan- population just under 5,000- didn’t have the equipment or specialists to perform the surgery David urgently needed. Plans were made to transfer him to American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, nearly five hours away. At first, the hospital staff planned for an ambulance transfer, but due to David’s age and condition, and the distance they’d be travelling, a pediatrician would have to ride along. Given how dire the situation was, the hospitals ultimately decided to fly in a doctor from AFCH to Ironwood, and for David to be medflighted back with them. This would ensure the fastest transport possible, and that a well-equipped team would be on board to handle any situation should David’s condition deteriorate while in the air.  

Becky and Chris didn’t think twice. They weren’t about to let their baby go through this without them. They made arrangements for their older son, Levi (14), packed a small bag, and hit the road, hearts heavy but full of determination to be by David’s side. 

When they arrived at the hospital, they were told David was going into surgery right away. They sat in the waiting room, trying to stay hopeful, clinging to each other through the longest wait of their lives. 

At last, the news came- the surgery was successful. David had made it through. 

The relief was overwhelming, but reality quickly followed: where would they stay? How long would they be in Madison? What about work? 

Becky picked up the phone and called her manager at McDonald’s. With her voice shaking, she explained what was happening. Her manager’s response was immediate and reassuring: “Take all the time you need. Your family comes first.” Chris, who runs his own small engine repair shop, reached out to his customers, all of whom responded with compassion and understanding. 

They booked a hotel for the first night- just needing somewhere to rest and regroup. The second night, they stayed in the hospital with David- uncertain, exhausted and living hour by hour. But by the third day, someone introduced them to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Madison—and their entire experience changed. 

Even though Becky worked at McDonald’s, she had only a vague understanding of what RMHC really did. But the moment they walked through those doors, it felt like they could finally exhale the breath they’d been holding since they took David to the ER back in Ironwood. 

The House became their refuge. 

After long, emotional days at the hospital, they came “home” to warm meals, kind faces, soft beds, and a staff that offered not just support, but comfort and care for them and what they were going through. It wasn’t just a place to stay- it was a place to rest their hearts, too. A place where they didn’t feel quite so alone in their experience. 

They stayed at RMHC for eight nights, riding the waves of emotion, fear, and gratitude. They felt the weight of what they were going through, but also the power of community- people near and far sending prayers, well wishes, and showing up for their family in ways both big and small. 

And slowly, day by day, David began to get stronger. 

When it was finally time to head home, Becky and Chris were filled with gratitude. For the NICU team who saved their son. For RMHC, who gave them stability and peace when everything else felt like it was falling apart. 

Today, David is almost a year old. Happy and loved beyond measure. 

Chris reflects on their time in Madison as life changing. “I’m not sure what we would’ve done without RMHC. We would have had to go home and come back for him when he was doing better, or have stayed in the hospital if they had let us,” he shared. Thankfully, they didn’t have to face that difficult reality. Instead, they found comfort, stability, and support at RMHC. 

“I can’t say enough good things about our experience,” Chris added. “The staff. The accommodations. The proximity to the hospital. Everything was amazing and helped us get through those 11 days in Madison.” 

And for Becky, life after Madison looks different. She returned to her job at McDonald’s with a heart forever changed. Now, she knows just how deeply McDonald’s supports families through RMHC- because she was one of those families.  

Her job isn’t just a job anymore. She sees the bigger picture. The change she’s a part of. The way asking a customer to “Round-Up” can turn into a hot meal or a night of rest for a family like hers.  

She wears her RMHC-Madison shirt with pride. She shares her story with fellow crew members, encouraging them to learn more about the mission and to never underestimate the impact of what they do—behind the counter, and behind that little Round-Up button. 

“It could be any of us, at any time,” Becky says. “I never knew I’d need RMHC- but I’m so grateful it was there. I’ll never look at my job the same way again.” 

For Becky, RMHC isn’t just something McDonald’s supports—it’s something she lived. And that lived experience drives her every day to support the mission, spread awareness, and ensure that other families facing the unthinkable can find the same comfort and care she once did.