Madelyn's Medical Expenses
UPDATE:
Its been some time since we posted this so we thought we would give an update. Firstly, thank you to everyone for their support. Your generosity is so heart warming and appreciated.
Madelyn has had a number of complications and procedures since we originally posted.
Madelyn has had her PEG changed to a Mic-Key. She now has a Portacath inserted into her chest so that doctors are able to better access her veins to give her treatment.
Madelyn suffered Horners Syndrome as a result of the portacath insertion which is an extremely rare complication to have during this procedure. She has also recently been diagnosed with Benign Sleep Myoclonus.
Madelyn has one round of treatment for Autoimmune Encephalitis left in April and then in May she will be admitted for a general anaesthetic for an MRI and LP. She will also have an EEG during this admission also. Once the doctors have the results back they will then be able to put a plan in place for Madelyn with regards to future treatment/s and management.
Madelyn continues to see numerous specialists and therapists and her needs are only increasing as she gets older.
We are hoping to raise money for a suit for Madelyn called a Second skin to help her with maintaing correct posture and helping to strengthen her weak muscles. (a suit is between $2000-$2500 approx every 12months for a new suit) We are also hoping to raise money for her ongoing weekly therapy expenses (phsio, Occupational therapy and speech therapy) so that we can continue to help her be the best that she can be. And also equipment (i.e shower chair etc.)
We are ever so grateful for any donation you give to our daughter. Thank you for your support. 
Hi
My name is Marcus and I am Madelyn's dad. I am starting a campaign to hopefully raise enough money to get a wheelchair, medical aids/equipment and pay for medical expenses for my beautiful little daughter.
Madelyn and Marcus (dad) at hospital
Let's start by saying.... Madelyn is the 6th of 7 children in our family Samuel 11, Lachlan 10, Riley 10, Keira 6, Alexander 5, Madelyn 19months and Mason 5months. My wife, Melissa, is employed however since Madelyn got sick she has been on unpaid leave and I work full time to support our family.
Madelyn with baby brother Mason
Madelyn was born 7 weeks early on the 13th March 2013 weighing 2100grams but perfectly healthy. She was discharged home after 2 weeks in Special Care Nursery. When Madelyn was 5 weeks old she stopped feeding and became very lethargic so we took her to the GP. After she missed her next feed (3 feeds in a row) we became very concerned and took her to the hospital where she was admitted for dehydration precautions. Within hours of being admitted Madelyn started to have apnoeas and seizures. Within 24hours Madelyn was on life support fighting for her life. She spent 2months in hospital but unfortunately an infection in her brain has left our daughter with significant brain damage and multiple complications. Since June 2013 we have been to the hospital weekly, sometimes 2-4 times a week for hospital appointments, treatment and therapy.
Madelyn's MRI - highlighted area is damaged
Recently Madelyn has deteriorated further and had been admitted to hospital again while they investigated the cause of her deterioration and commenced treatment. Madelyn's lumbar puncture shows that there's inflammation and the initial infection has now triggered an auto immune response which they believe is causing the deterioration. She is now having IV immunoglobulin infusions and IV steroids every 4 weeks for 1 week in hospital and that will continue for at least the next 4 months possibly longer as well as adding steroids in to her regular medication plan at home. She also sees specialists regularly and multiple therapists weekly. They aren't sure if this is going to work but they have run out of options otherwise. Madelyn is writing her own book with regards to treatment because they haven't come across a case like Madelyn's before.
Madelyn is now fed through a Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) inserted to feed her directly into her stomach. Madelyn has to be fed every 3 hours during the day and on a continous feed for 10hours at night. She is now classified as a cerebral palsy child with seizures and difficulty feeding. It Is difficult to communicate with her with such limited speech
Currently Madelyn sees a number of teams at varying hospitals and treatment centres which include Neurology, Paediatricians, dermatology, infectious disease, ophthalmology, audiology, dietician, speech pathology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, CP health, gastroenterology, orthotics, endocrinologist and surgical.
Madelyn and Melissa (mum) at hospital
This has affected our family in every aspect and it continues to affect us tremendously.
Madelyn's routine therapy that has been provided by the hospital is now having to be outsourced to private clinics which is now an added expense. We want to do everything possible so that Madelyn can be the best she can be.
Madelyn's condition will never resolve and she will live with this brain damage for the rest of her life. My wife Melissa and I will always give her as much care as possible and do whatever it takes however we are asking for help to get her some things she really needs. We hope Madelyn will improve slowly but she will never be a full functioning child and will always be frequent to hospitals and medical centres to give her the best quality of life she can have.
We would be ever so grateful for any donation you give and you can rest assured your donation is making our little girls life that much better!! Thank you
Please feel free to follow her journey on Facebook - Miracle Madelyn
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Miracle-Madelyn/1481335095450654
