Imagine for a moment what it feels like to be faced with the heartache of hearing a life threatening diagnosis about the precious little one you brought into this world and knowing that you are failing at your most important job of keeping him healthy and safe from pain? Well, that is exactly what became of my world the moment Trystan Chance, my precious little super hero, was born 23 months ago. Now, imagine facing this alone with no shoulder to cry on or 2nd income to rely on as you camp out at the hospital refusing to leave his side? I do not know my biological parents, I have no family to lean on on Grandparents to babysit, and I have a restraining order against Trystan's "father". I am a hardworking single Mom doing my best to scrape up rent every month and suddenly I have to shoulder the financial and emotional expenses associated with keeping my medically fragile baby alive. Trystan has not even celebrated his 2nd birthday and he has had 3 major surgeries, scopes, swallow studies, sleep studies, enemas, x rays, PH probes, endoscopic procedures, breathing treatments, IVs, anesthesia, CT scans, and blood tests.      I didn't even get to hold Trystan when he was born November 20th of 2014. His cry was more like a muffled whimper so  I barely even saw his little face before they rushed him out the door to begin his life being whisked away to the NICU with a Pneumothorax and struggling to breathe. Trystan spent his first 2 months of existence in that same NICU with feeding difficulties, vomiting, Cyanosis (blue spells), and Stridor (a squeaking sound when he took a breath). These symptoms lead to the diagnoses of the congenital airway defect of Laryngomalacia, GERD, Dysphagia, and Aspiration. They put him on reflux meds that he takes to this day to control the vomiting. Trystan was unable to swallow without aspirating so they put an NG feeding tube up his nose and down his throat. They considered going in for surgery to place a Gtube for feeding but between pacing, special positioning, and adding Thickit to his bottles he began to drink enough and they allowed Trystan to go home without the GTube surgery. He continued to have Laryngospasms and Blue Spells until a sleep study showed he was having both Central and Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Trystan had a Supraglottoplasty surgery to correct the Laryngomalacia and an Adenoidectomy to help with the obstruction. He was still having problems with Apnea as well as Bradycardia so they put him on supplemental oxygen at home and a Pulse Ox machine when he slept. He also has chronic Constipation and a Chiari. His Dysphagia was supposed to get better after the Supra and with age, but it got worse instead. He was diagnosed with Severe OroPharyngeal Dysphagia and they increased his Thick-it to pudding consistency but he was unable to stay hydrated and eventually we were left with no choice but to go in for Gtube surgery. Trystan is unable to have anything liquid by mouth and is attached to a feeding pump by a tube in his abdomen for 14 hours out of the day, Everyday. Trystan was diagnosed as exhibiting silent aspirations and this form of dysphagia usually indicates a cause that is neurological or genetic in nature, not structural. Therefore, I'm worried there might be another diagnosis we have not yet uncovered and I'm trying to push for genetic and neurological testing.      I was unable to return to my former career since I am now officially employed as Trystan's “Momgiver” (mom/caregiver...lol). Trystan will soon be under the care of 8 specialists and therapies; Neurologists, Gastroenterologists, ENTs (ears, nose, and throat), Geneticists, Pulmonologists, and of course a Pediatrician Group. We are waiting on insurance to approve speech and occupational therapies and will soon be formally starting early intervention with the Early Steps Program for his developmental delays. There are multiple medical visits a week and often visits to the non-emergency section of the hospital for testing. Unfortunately, this is not at all unusual for special needs babies and children. All Trystan's Dr appts and therapies are at least an hour commute by the time I wait on the cab and without a car it gets difficult to juggle all his appointments. However, I wouldn't even be able to use a car because I do not feel safe transporting Trystan alone in case he has an ALTE- Apparent Life Threatening Event (so help getting to medical appointments is needed and appreciated). Trystan needs special attention. Tasks you all may take for granted such as feeding, soothing, giving medications, and at home therapies take longer than you can imagine (so help with daily household chores and errands is also a big help). During this tough time of being in and out of the hospital and constantly at the Drs. offices, this Single Mommy has had no choice but to become a stay-at-home Mom because of Trystan's need for constant monitoring. Plus, due to a weakened immune system and his complicated medical routines and machinery, regular daycare is out of the question. In a typical household this would mean that the home has gone from two incomes to one, but with our tiny family it means going from 1 income to ½ an income working part time from home around Trystan's care and appointments. As a result, to say that bills keep stacking up is an understatement.     This is only the beginning of Trystan's journey! These are just a few of many medical struggles, including numerous surgeries, he will likely face in his lifetime. Through it all, I am confident that Trystan will remain a very loving little boy with a bright soul. Trystan was not born weak. If anyone has met him, you will agree, there is something different in his eyes, a wisdom, depth, and a fight in him. Anyone who has looked into those big blue eyes (in person or in pictures online) or seen the huge smile he is happy to share, knows that he deserves to have a huge support network & family fighting for him but instead is stuck with only me. I try to be strong for him, but often I gather my strength from him instead. I love and adore Trystan and thank God for entrusting me with the privilege of being this wonderful little man's Mommy. My heart breaks for him and the weight of the situation is so heavy that I too have difficulty breathing sometimes. My heart is burdened, but my soul is touched by those of you that have selflessly helped us along this journey. Please, I can not articulate properly how grateful we are for your help during these stressful times. With the love, care, & support of his Mommy and his online surrogate family, there is hope & faith that, one day, Trystan will thrive & gain his independence from medical devices and diagnoses.     You know the saying, "It takes a village"? Well, I am begging you not to move on from my son's story and forget him in the shuffle of your life but, instead, join his village of support and help this single Mommy write his happy ending. Just $5 toward bills and supplies or a Get Well treat in the mail to cheer Trystan up on a day where his pain is severe mean more to us than I can suitably verbalize. Please pray for us, please share, and please be part of our village of hope #villageofhope. All any parent wants is for their child to be healthy and to grow up and be the best self that they can be. I've prayed for Trystan and his life since before he existed. I just want him to be ok. We would really appreciate ANYTHING you can give. EVERY dollar counts. It means the world to us and possibly the difference in how Trystan lives the rest of his beautiful life!! We will be eternally grateful for your donations but, if you do not have $5 to spare, please share Trystan's story. I will also gladly accept help in any way you can offer it; especially in the way of companionship, prayers, and well wishes.The more shares we get, the more people will see and read Trystan's story. I just know there is a guardian angel out there somewhere who will be able to help me give Trystan the quality of life he deserves and help keep the lights on through this tough time (both figuratively & literally).      Please invite friends to like Trystan's page and follow his updates at Team Trystan Chance. We will make sure that all funds raised will be put towards the betterment of Trystan’s today and, most importantly, his tomorrow. Thank you and God Bless!