Campaign for Beau
Donation protected
I received a phone call from Emily during the early morning hours of September 22, 2017. “I just wanted to let you know my water broke last night and I’m going to be at Hamot Hospital,” she said. She was only 26 weeks pregnant. With a positive attitude and much strength, she remained on bed rest for 3 weeks, but eventually, Beau was ready to come into this world. Emily hasn’t been home since that early morning of September 22nd, and it is now 9 months later. Here is her story:
“I would like to share our story about our son Beau Samuel. He was due to be born on December 26th, but instead graced us with his presence, at 29 weeks, on October 12, 2017 at Hamot Hospital, Erie, PA. He came into this world weighing 2 lbs. and 14" long. Doctors rushed him straight to NICU and soon realized they could not pass a feeding tube. He was then transferred to the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, were he’s been fighting ever since. Soon after Beau’s arrival to CHP, we then found out he had a tracheal esophageal fistula. He was diagnosed VACTERL, a rare disorder affecting multiple organ systems. We were told he has a cyst on his brain, spinal tethering, hydronephrosis, heart defects known as a pda, asd, vsd and a new inguinal hernia. Time had stopped. We were told the doctors would be taking him to surgery to repair his Tracheal Esophageal Fistula at only 5 days old and less than 2 lbs. After 6 hours of surgery, The surgeons reported the much needed great news. Beau powered through his TEF surgery like a champion. However, It was a rocky for the following months of his recovery, and we experienced every high and low of the "NICU rollercoaster". We faced problems with feeding, critical ups and down with intensive breathing machines, and then Beau faced another challenging surgery. On December 4th, he had undergone a heart surgery to try to prolong the need for his major open heart bypass surgery that will be done sometime in his near future. We are progressing though this and are so thankful for each every day spent with our miracle.
We were fortunate enough to spend 6 weeks at home with Beau. However, after returning to Pittsburgh Children’s hospital for a routine checkup, his health declined and he had to stay in Pittsburgh.
“I would like to share our story about our son Beau Samuel. He was due to be born on December 26th, but instead graced us with his presence, at 29 weeks, on October 12, 2017 at Hamot Hospital, Erie, PA. He came into this world weighing 2 lbs. and 14" long. Doctors rushed him straight to NICU and soon realized they could not pass a feeding tube. He was then transferred to the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, were he’s been fighting ever since. Soon after Beau’s arrival to CHP, we then found out he had a tracheal esophageal fistula. He was diagnosed VACTERL, a rare disorder affecting multiple organ systems. We were told he has a cyst on his brain, spinal tethering, hydronephrosis, heart defects known as a pda, asd, vsd and a new inguinal hernia. Time had stopped. We were told the doctors would be taking him to surgery to repair his Tracheal Esophageal Fistula at only 5 days old and less than 2 lbs. After 6 hours of surgery, The surgeons reported the much needed great news. Beau powered through his TEF surgery like a champion. However, It was a rocky for the following months of his recovery, and we experienced every high and low of the "NICU rollercoaster". We faced problems with feeding, critical ups and down with intensive breathing machines, and then Beau faced another challenging surgery. On December 4th, he had undergone a heart surgery to try to prolong the need for his major open heart bypass surgery that will be done sometime in his near future. We are progressing though this and are so thankful for each every day spent with our miracle.
We were fortunate enough to spend 6 weeks at home with Beau. However, after returning to Pittsburgh Children’s hospital for a routine checkup, his health declined and he had to stay in Pittsburgh.
Organizer and beneficiary
Carolyn Brigham
Organizer
Erie, PA
emily campbell
Beneficiary
