When little Elliot was not even three months old, his mother Elena had no idea that a frightening trip to the hospital would become the beginning of a journey that would completely change their lives.

On July 4, Elliot was admitted to hospital after doctors discovered that he was breathing extremely fast and his blood oxygen levels were dangerously low.

DNA testing and a biopsy failed to identify any genetic abnormalities, so his test results were shared with a network of pulmonologists across the United States in the hope that specialists could help determine what was happening to the tiny boy.

Elliot was eventually diagnosed with an extremely rare lung condition called neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia.

He remained in hospital for more than eight months, during which he required breathing support and was intubated twice. Eventually, doctors performed a tracheostomy, placing a breathing tube that could connect him to a ventilator and oxygen support.

Elliot also received a G-tube, allowing him to receive nutrition directly into his stomach.

After finally returning home, the little boy still could not breathe independently and continued to rely on a ventilator around the clock.

For Elena, home did not mean the end of the medical journey. It simply meant that the hospital equipment and constant care had moved into their home.

Recently, Elliot underwent a sleep study — and the results raised new concerns about his original diagnosis.

Instead of needing less breathing support as doctors would normally expect with his previous diagnosis, Elliot was found to need even greater air pressure from his ventilator.

And once again, his family was left searching for answers.

Doctors still do not know exactly what is causing Elliot’s condition.

He had been scheduled for a procedure on December 10 in which doctors planned to examine his lungs with a camera and carry out further testing. However, the procedure had to be postponed after Elliot developed a fever.

The family is now waiting for him to be well enough for doctors to continue investigating.

While Elliot waits for answers, his mother Elena remains by his side every day.

The pair live in Astoria, Queens, where Elena has dedicated herself entirely to caring for her young son. Because Elliot requires continuous medical support, she has been unable to work.

Her savings have now run out, and she has been relying on help from relatives who can only contribute so much.

Even basic household expenses have become difficult to manage. Rent, phone and electricity bills continue to arrive, while the family’s electricity costs are particularly high because Elliot’s ventilator, oxygen generator and humidifier must operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The state currently provides assistance with food and reduced transportation costs, but Elena says it is not enough to cover the family’s essential needs.

Her greatest fear is now having to leave the home she has worked so hard to maintain and potentially enter a shelter with her young son.

For Elena, the priority remains simple: keeping Elliot safe, comfortable and close to the care he needs while doctors continue searching for the answers that could finally explain his condition.

“I just want to be able to keep my son home and give him everything he needs,” she hopes.