Abby's Medical Expense Fund
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Abby is our daughter who was born February 23, 2016, at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville. She was diagnosed prenatally with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) with the additional complication of an intact atrial septum. Because of her diagnosis, she was delivered via C-section and taken immediately to be stabilized and to have a catheter procedure to open a hole in her atrial septum. The doctor told us that it was the most difficult atrial septostomy he'd done in 16 years. She had several complications during the procedure, including some internal bleeding, blood clots, and irregular rhythms, and she really wasn't expected to live. We know the Lord was helping our little girl because, after the catheter, Abby stabilized and, within a couple of days, was breathing room air and off of oxygen! We and the doctors were amazed because she'd had such a low chance of surviving her first day!
When she was 6 days old, she had her first open heart surgery (the Norwood procedure). Her surgeon was pleased with how well she did. The Lord really answered prayer again, and she recovered amazingly. After just 11 days of recovery, Abby moved out of the ICU and into a regular patient room on March 11. It was a pretty great day!
The doctors soon discovered that she was having difficulty tolerating her feeds. She was getting milk via an NG-tube (through her nose into her stomach), but she vomitted many times a day and was not gaining weight. In addition, the constant vomitting and reflux were affecting Abby's oxygen saturations, partially because she seemed to be aspirating some of it, and partially because she was holding her breath every time she felt the reflux coming on. The doctors changed it to an NJ-tube, going into her small intestine, to see if that would stop the spitting up and vomitting. It helped, but wasn't enough. After a few tests, she was diagnosed with laryngomalacia, a condition in which the muscles controlling the larynx are weak and don't do a good job keeping food out of the airways. The doctors tried everything medicinally they could think of, but she continued to have problems, so on March 18 she had surgery on her stomach (a Nissen fundoplication) to tighten up the esophageal sphincter and help her keep her food down. During that surgery the doctor also placed a permanent feeding tube called a G-tube directly into her stomach.
Abby spent a few days in ICU recovering before heading back to a patient room. She recovered wonderfully, and we were able to take her home this week at 35 days old! We are so excited to finally have this little girl at home. Because of the severity of her condition, we really didn't think we'd get to keep her. How amazing it is to see the Lord answer prayer!
Abby will return to Vanderbilt at 3-4 months old for her second open heart surgery (the Glenn procedure), and will have her third at 2-3 years old (the Fontan procedure). Between the first and second surgeries, she'll be at the doctor at least once a week. Although she's doing well, she is still a very delicate child, and it will be important to keep her free of sickness as much as possible and to constantly monitor her condition.
We are starting this GoFundMe to help with expenses related to Abby's care. We have medical bills, of course, along with the expenses of living in another city during these surgeries and during the recovery periods. One of our major needs during this time is a new, larger vehicle that will be able to contain all three of our kids, along with Abby's medical supplies that she needs throughout the day. If you are able to help us financially, we are very grateful!
When she was 6 days old, she had her first open heart surgery (the Norwood procedure). Her surgeon was pleased with how well she did. The Lord really answered prayer again, and she recovered amazingly. After just 11 days of recovery, Abby moved out of the ICU and into a regular patient room on March 11. It was a pretty great day!
The doctors soon discovered that she was having difficulty tolerating her feeds. She was getting milk via an NG-tube (through her nose into her stomach), but she vomitted many times a day and was not gaining weight. In addition, the constant vomitting and reflux were affecting Abby's oxygen saturations, partially because she seemed to be aspirating some of it, and partially because she was holding her breath every time she felt the reflux coming on. The doctors changed it to an NJ-tube, going into her small intestine, to see if that would stop the spitting up and vomitting. It helped, but wasn't enough. After a few tests, she was diagnosed with laryngomalacia, a condition in which the muscles controlling the larynx are weak and don't do a good job keeping food out of the airways. The doctors tried everything medicinally they could think of, but she continued to have problems, so on March 18 she had surgery on her stomach (a Nissen fundoplication) to tighten up the esophageal sphincter and help her keep her food down. During that surgery the doctor also placed a permanent feeding tube called a G-tube directly into her stomach.
Abby spent a few days in ICU recovering before heading back to a patient room. She recovered wonderfully, and we were able to take her home this week at 35 days old! We are so excited to finally have this little girl at home. Because of the severity of her condition, we really didn't think we'd get to keep her. How amazing it is to see the Lord answer prayer!
Abby will return to Vanderbilt at 3-4 months old for her second open heart surgery (the Glenn procedure), and will have her third at 2-3 years old (the Fontan procedure). Between the first and second surgeries, she'll be at the doctor at least once a week. Although she's doing well, she is still a very delicate child, and it will be important to keep her free of sickness as much as possible and to constantly monitor her condition.
We are starting this GoFundMe to help with expenses related to Abby's care. We have medical bills, of course, along with the expenses of living in another city during these surgeries and during the recovery periods. One of our major needs during this time is a new, larger vehicle that will be able to contain all three of our kids, along with Abby's medical supplies that she needs throughout the day. If you are able to help us financially, we are very grateful!
Organizer
Robert Rutta Jr
Organizer
Bell Bridge, TN
