#EthanStrong for Ethan Sappington
Donation protected
On the morning of Tuesday September 2nd, Ethan contracted an infection and was initially taken to Northwest Community Hospital. His infection worsened and he was transferred to Lurie's Children's Hospital. Ethan's temperature was a consistent 103°F and his swelling had now traveled throughout his body. Ethan was unable to fully open his eyes. Around 2am on Thursday September 4th, Ethan started experiencing kidney failure. After multiple tests had been run, he was diagnosed with sepsis, and was experiencing systemic organ failure.
First day at Lurie's Children's Memorial, September 4th, 2014 @ 11:00am.
He was immediately placed on a breathing pump, was given blood pressure medicine to help circulate and regulate his blood flow for his heart and other vital organs, was placed on dialysis for his kidneys and was given heavy doses of antibiotics for his liver. He was staring death in the face.
Ethan quietly fought, with his parents and family at his side, for 4 days before there was any sign of improvement. The bit of hope we were given after those four long endless days was that Ethan's kidneys were no longer in danger and he would soon be able to come off of dialysis. Ethan had overcome the first part of his fight. Ethan had been #EthanStrong.
Over the next few days, more positive signs would show up; the swelling had reduced, his liver was recovering and his color was coming back. On September 9th he was taken off his ventilator and was able to fully snuggle with his mommy and daddy, and this was also the day when we were finally able to hear his precious voice. He shouted loud enough for the room to hear "Mommy" "Daddy" and of course "Ernie". A BIG victory, a GREAT day, an #EthanStrong day.
Ethan had opened his eyes for us.
Shortly after the breathing tube was removed Mommy was finally able to hold her baby Ethan again, September 9th, 2014.
On September 11th, Ethan was finally taken off sedation medication. September 13th, was the day he moved from the ICU Unit to the Recovery floor. We have a long road ahead of us but were extremely happy to move onto the next step in our journey.
Ethan ready for his big move!
Mommy, Daddy and Ethan about to walk on to the 21st floor. (Recovery Floor)
Because Ethan was in systemic organ failure, the medication he was put on greatly reduced his blood flow to his limbs. The goal was to strictly save his organs and reduce as much damage from occurring internally as possible.
With this goal came a sacrifice that will forever change Ethan and his family’s life. Blood flow was essentially nonexistent to his hands and feet, ultimately leading them to a necrotic state. On September 18th, Ethan had the first of many surgeries to follow, where the blisters were surgically removed along with the finger tips on his right hand. After evaluating the damage done to hands and feet doctors have concluded that the left hand and both feet will need to be amputated. This surgery will take place the week of September 22nd ... changing his life forever.
We are banning together today and reaching out for your support. Ethan and his family face enormous uphill battles over the next few months and years that can be greatly reduced by the support you give. The money raised here will go to many different needs that Ethan and his family will now have; medical bills, prosthetics, home adjustments, change of life adjustments.
We would like to thank everyone for their prayers, support and love through this difficult time. They are greatly appreciated!
Ethan has been #EthanStrong, now WE must be #EthanStrong
(For more information on sepsis)
First day at Lurie's Children's Memorial, September 4th, 2014 @ 11:00am.
He was immediately placed on a breathing pump, was given blood pressure medicine to help circulate and regulate his blood flow for his heart and other vital organs, was placed on dialysis for his kidneys and was given heavy doses of antibiotics for his liver. He was staring death in the face.
Ethan quietly fought, with his parents and family at his side, for 4 days before there was any sign of improvement. The bit of hope we were given after those four long endless days was that Ethan's kidneys were no longer in danger and he would soon be able to come off of dialysis. Ethan had overcome the first part of his fight. Ethan had been #EthanStrong.
Over the next few days, more positive signs would show up; the swelling had reduced, his liver was recovering and his color was coming back. On September 9th he was taken off his ventilator and was able to fully snuggle with his mommy and daddy, and this was also the day when we were finally able to hear his precious voice. He shouted loud enough for the room to hear "Mommy" "Daddy" and of course "Ernie". A BIG victory, a GREAT day, an #EthanStrong day.
Ethan had opened his eyes for us.
Shortly after the breathing tube was removed Mommy was finally able to hold her baby Ethan again, September 9th, 2014.
On September 11th, Ethan was finally taken off sedation medication. September 13th, was the day he moved from the ICU Unit to the Recovery floor. We have a long road ahead of us but were extremely happy to move onto the next step in our journey.
Ethan ready for his big move!
Mommy, Daddy and Ethan about to walk on to the 21st floor. (Recovery Floor)
Because Ethan was in systemic organ failure, the medication he was put on greatly reduced his blood flow to his limbs. The goal was to strictly save his organs and reduce as much damage from occurring internally as possible.
With this goal came a sacrifice that will forever change Ethan and his family’s life. Blood flow was essentially nonexistent to his hands and feet, ultimately leading them to a necrotic state. On September 18th, Ethan had the first of many surgeries to follow, where the blisters were surgically removed along with the finger tips on his right hand. After evaluating the damage done to hands and feet doctors have concluded that the left hand and both feet will need to be amputated. This surgery will take place the week of September 22nd ... changing his life forever.
We are banning together today and reaching out for your support. Ethan and his family face enormous uphill battles over the next few months and years that can be greatly reduced by the support you give. The money raised here will go to many different needs that Ethan and his family will now have; medical bills, prosthetics, home adjustments, change of life adjustments.
We would like to thank everyone for their prayers, support and love through this difficult time. They are greatly appreciated!
Ethan has been #EthanStrong, now WE must be #EthanStrong
(For more information on sepsis)
Organizer
Andrea Nuñez
Organizer
Chicago, IL
