Donohue (Picard) Family Donations

Sean & Kayce Donohue were blessed with an addition to their family September 18, 2013. Twin boys, Austin and Nathan. During Kayce's pregnancy, the couple received less than good news on one of the babies.  One of the babies had a Teratoma Tumor in his neck.  While still attached to mom, the doctors went in and removed the tumor. Once the little fellas arrived, the doctors learned the tumor, although it had been removed, had flattened baby Austin's airway so a trach had to be put in.  Austin spent 43 days in NICU under constant care. During this time Sean & Kayce were trained on how to care for their son once he was allowed to go some, as this trach would have to stay with Austin for a year or so.  Feeding wasn't so normal, nor was bathing, nor was anything we all take for granted when we bring a child home. Both Sean & Kayce spent sleepless nights watching and listening to Austin's monitor this past year.  If the monitor shut off, or if the baby got into a postion that compromised the trach, it could be fatal. 
Austin has had many doctor visits, with many procedures done over the last year to keep this trach in place and for it to continue to do its job in keeping Austin alive. About a month ago, a test showed a blockage growing in Austin's neck.  Austin and his parents were sent to the top doctors in Louisiana for the next step, as this was not good.  The doctors performed surgery and succeeded in removing the blockage but in doing so, the procedure created a hole between the trach and Austin's esophagus.  The doctors, again, needed to go in to attempt to repair this hole. The procedure that morning did not go as planned. Sean & Kayce were informed the hospital did not have the stint needed in stock and it would be a week or so before one could be received.  The couple agreed for them to go ahead and do a routine bronc on Austin to see what was going on and locate the new fistula site.  That evening it was decided that Austin needed to be with a specialist. The doctors contacted a team in Cincinnati, Ohio for help.  Cincinnati is where the top specialists in this field are in the country. Since his last repair, tissue that makes up his esophagus had died and he did not have a new fistula. Austin currently can not take anything by mouth and has a NG tube in for feeds. He will probably get a peg tube in his belly once he arrives in Cincinnati.  This could be avoided if his vocal chords start working again. The doctors are unsure what has caused the new fistula and tissue damage but they are leaning towards his trach and NG/OG tubes rubbing together. Therefore one of them had to go.  Also, Ohio is were the new respiratory virus is and extra precautions will need to be taken with Austin since he does have a trach.  The couple was informed Cincinnati was sending a plane to get their baby, right away, as this could quickly turn into something life threatening.     

FOR EVERYONE: This couple has rose to the challenges in this past year, continuing to raise their family, work, take care of everyone's needs along with Austin's speacial needs. With the help and support of family and friends, this has been managed pretty well. However, Sean & Kayce are about to experience being away from home, being away from their other two children and being in a strange place with their very ill child not knowing what the next day will bring. Just being able to eat, bathe and have a place to lay their head, occasionally when time permits, will be expensive and not an expense they were prepared for, and of course, the medical bills that are piling up for their son.

This page has been set up explicitly for the Donohue Family. Your support and prayers are so very need and appreciated. Please consider donating to this family that is in much need and very deserving of the help.

Thank you and God Bless