Team Steen

Story

As many of you know, on May 18, 2019, Brandon & Krystal welcomed their little girl, Annie Lux Steen, into this world.  What started out as a "normal" pregnancy would quickly become a rollercoaster of pregnancy complications when Krystal was just 18 weeks pregnant, after an ultrasound revealed that baby #3 showed multiple anomalies.  Through amniotic testing, fetal echocardiograms & multiple ultrasounds, everything was appearing to get back to "normal". However, around the time that Krystal began her 3rd trimester, she was then diagnosed with severe Polyhydramnios, which is excessive amniotic fluid. However, the doctors could not figure out why. After further testing & a fetal MRI, Krystal's condition continued to worsen & no concrete answers could be given. With great  deliberation & careful consideration, Krystal's team of doctors & the hospital neonatologist in Greenville, SC (where they live), ultimately decided it would be in her best interest to deliver at MUSC in Charleston, SC in the event Annie needed a live saving machine that Greenville did not have on standby. Upon arrival at MUSC & with the expectation of Krystal delivering a few days later once Krystal & Annie's new care team could meet and form her delivery plans, Krystal was diagnosed with preeclampsia and delivery needed to happen sooner rather than later. Annie was born at 36 weeks gestation on May 18, 2019 at 2:34pm weighing in at 8 pounds 10oz & 18" long. Although she ultimately did not need that life saving machine on stand by, she did need immediate assistance at her time of birth & has been placed in NNICU. Since her birth, she is now breathing on her own unassisted & her feeding tube has been removed & replaced with bottle feeds. She was born with a few birth defects which include conditions on her liver & kidneys, as well as, more testing that will be resulted in the following months & will require future surgery(s). She is a strong little thing & making progress every single day but she is still on a long road to getting out into the world, away from IVs,  machines, and tests.  She is still currently in the NICU at MUSC and doctors are not sure when she will be discharged at this time. Many of you have reached out to the family wondering what you can do or how you can help in any way from meals to helping fill gas tanks as Krystal & Brandon establish new living/travel arrangements while bouncing back & fourth from both ends of the state. This GoFundMe campaign has been set up by friends & family as a common place for you to do as you wish. No donation amount is too small. No prayer is too big. We have nothing but love & support to give our dear friends as they begin this new life journey & look forward to bringing Annie home. Please keep Annie, Krystal, Brandon, Aven & Tellar in your thoughts and prayers during this most trying of times.