![\"Riley](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/102302621_1781102231693588_r.jpg\"\/)
Riley and Christy with Darlene and Gordon on a Gala evening on the cruise with their borrowed clothes. (Supplied)\nReturn to Winnipeg brings relief and reflection<\/p>\n
A Winnipeg mother says returning home with her son after a life-threatening lung infection overseas has left her with a renewed appreciation for life and deep gratitude for the community that supported them through a difficult two-month ordeal.<\/p>\n
Christy Anderson says her son, Riley,\u00a017, was hospitalized in Spain in April after contracting a serious lung infection while on a once-in-a-lifetime Grade 12 Ignatian Camino trip with St. Paul\u2019s High School<\/p>\n
He remained in hospital for\u00a0about two months before being discharged in late May.<\/p>\n
Medical condition forced unusual journey home<\/p>\n
Due to complications with his lung, Anderson says they were forced to find a way home that did not involve air travel.<\/p>\n
Instead, Anderson says the pair spent two weeks from May 20 to June 2, travelling over 11,300 kilometres home by train and cruise ship to keep Riley at sea level while his lung continues to heal.<\/p>\n
“His\u00a0lung\u00a0is still partially collapsed, and\u00a0he’s\u00a0going to require another kind of invasive procedure to try and correct the damage\u00a0that’s\u00a0been done to his\u00a0lung and to get his\u00a0lung\u00a0back to the best capacity that we can\u00a0get it\u00a0for him,” said Anderson.<\/p>\n
Despite the challenges, she said the journey was marked by moments of connection, including meeting travellers from Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom, attending onboard events and even being invited to a wedding during the cruise.<\/p>\n
Riley and Christy with Darlene and Gordon on a Gala evening on the cruise with their borrowed clothes. (Supplied)
\nReturn to Winnipeg brings relief and reflection<\/p>\n
After weeks of travel, she said returning to Winnipeg brought an unexpected sense of relief and appreciation.<\/p>\n
“I love this city,” said Anderson. “It’s\u00a0such a beautiful place, and it just looked so quiet, so soft, so inviting, and just so beautiful when we rolled into the VIA Rail station.”<\/p>\n
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She says the experience has left lasting emotional impacts on the family, describing it as both traumatic and transformative.<\/p>\n
“We\u2019re going to be dealing with this for the next year or more,” said Anderson. “It changes you.”<\/p>\n
Since returning, the family has been focused on recovery and readjustment after missing several months of school, work and family milestones, including a birthday and graduation preparations. Anderson is also working to catch up on her professional and academic responsibilities, including her PhD dissertation.<\/p>\n
![\"Riley](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/102302621_1781102304584768_r.jpg\"\/)
Riley and Christy docking in Brooklyn with NYC in the background. (Supplied)
\nCommunity support and gratitude<\/p>\n
Despite the challenges, Anderson says she remains deeply grateful for the support they received through donations, prayers and messages, calling it a source of comfort during a difficult time.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt didn\u2019t just feel like money or support,\u201d she said. \u201cIt felt like love.\u201d<\/p>\n
She also asked for continued prayer and support as they face the days ahead.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“At this point, it’s beyond Riley,” said Anderson. “Prayers to help my family move on and get past this trauma are appreciated, as are prayers for all of us to work through all of the trauma from these events because we’ll carry it forever.”<\/p>\n
Up next, the family will celebrate Riley’s graduation on June 30.<\/p>\n