Cairns family's CDH battle
Donation protected
Hello,
We have started this campaign for our friend Gaia, her partner Kyle and their two young boys, three and a half year-old Oscar and two year-old Kaden. At 20 weeks gestation her unborn daughter (due 25th Nov 2016) was diagnosed with a birth defect called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is the absence of the diaphragm or, more commonly, the presence of a defect in the diaphragm. It can occur on either the left or the right side but is most common on the left (80%). As there is a defect in the diaphragm, the abdominal contents including the stomach, intestine, liver and spleen can be displaced into the chest cavity. When the abdominal organs are in the chest, there is limited room for the lungs to grow. This prevents the lungs from developing normally, resulting in pulmonary hypoplasia (or underdeveloped lungs). This can cause reduced blood flow to the lungs and pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the pulmonary circulation), as well as asthma, gastrointestinal reflux, feeding disorders and developmental delays. CDH is usually an isolated condition, although other congenital anomalies, most commonly cardiac, may be associated and influence the prognosis. We were absolutely devastated to hear about the diagnosis to say the least. There were many, many mixed emotions. They were given the choice to terminate, but chose not to as she had a small chance, and they wanted to give her that.
This has resulted in the family having to relocate to Brisbane indefinitely for specialist medical care for their baby, as the Cairns hospital isn't equipped for a condition like this. They had to break their lease early and both of them had to quit their jobs leaving them with very low funds.
We are doing this with the hope to take a little financial pressure and stress off their shoulders so they can focus 100% on what is important. This journey has been a roller coaster emotionally, physically and financially for all of them so far. And it will only get more challenging once their daughter is born.
At birth she will be taken immediately into another room where the resuscitation team will take over and she will be put on a ventilator and attached to a multitude of tubes to help her survive and stabilise her. Once she is stable enough she will have surgery to rectify the hole in the diaphragm, possibly days after birth. There could also be more than one procedure in the time that follows. After birth is when the real battle begins. We have been told to expect many hurdles and a long time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
No two cases of CDH are the same. It is hard to tell how each baby will fare after birth regardless of how mild or severe the initial diagnoses is and so it is hard to say what she will go through until it happens. Although it all sounds quite grim, many children who make it through the initial challenges of CDH grow up to lead an independent and active life, They have an excellent team at Mater Mothers Hospital and we just hope she can fight through this and that they are some of the lucky parents that get to take their baby home.
Those who know Kyle and Gaia know that asking for help doesn't come easy to them as they would rather battle through the hard times without inconveniencing others. But we feel that they deserve the help, as Kyle is unable to get full time employment while working around all the medical appointments, upcoming birth and the hurdles to follow.
Donations will go towards bills and any medical expenses, plus everyday living expenses to keep their little family together and able to be as positive and present as possible for all the children and each other. Every donation is appreciated, no matter what the amount, it all counts.
We know many of us have been very moved by their situation, and would like to help. They are very humbled by all the support, love and prayers that have been sent their way.
Thank-you for taking the time to read this, and please keep Gaia and her family in your prayers.
- Freia, Jacinta, Sarah, Karena and Maz
A few words from Gaia:
It has been a hard road that has taken a huge toll on our lives and the kid's lives. It's the last thing you expect after being so fortunate to have had healthy children already. But we are trying to stay positive, and although we are nervous about the birth and what follows we also can't wait to see our baby girl and hope we are some of the lucky ones who get to keep our CDH baby with us.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for every little bit of support we have received, in every form. It is extremely appreciated.
Much love from Kyle, Gaia, Oscar, Kaden and little Miss.
We have started this campaign for our friend Gaia, her partner Kyle and their two young boys, three and a half year-old Oscar and two year-old Kaden. At 20 weeks gestation her unborn daughter (due 25th Nov 2016) was diagnosed with a birth defect called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is the absence of the diaphragm or, more commonly, the presence of a defect in the diaphragm. It can occur on either the left or the right side but is most common on the left (80%). As there is a defect in the diaphragm, the abdominal contents including the stomach, intestine, liver and spleen can be displaced into the chest cavity. When the abdominal organs are in the chest, there is limited room for the lungs to grow. This prevents the lungs from developing normally, resulting in pulmonary hypoplasia (or underdeveloped lungs). This can cause reduced blood flow to the lungs and pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the pulmonary circulation), as well as asthma, gastrointestinal reflux, feeding disorders and developmental delays. CDH is usually an isolated condition, although other congenital anomalies, most commonly cardiac, may be associated and influence the prognosis. We were absolutely devastated to hear about the diagnosis to say the least. There were many, many mixed emotions. They were given the choice to terminate, but chose not to as she had a small chance, and they wanted to give her that.
This has resulted in the family having to relocate to Brisbane indefinitely for specialist medical care for their baby, as the Cairns hospital isn't equipped for a condition like this. They had to break their lease early and both of them had to quit their jobs leaving them with very low funds.
We are doing this with the hope to take a little financial pressure and stress off their shoulders so they can focus 100% on what is important. This journey has been a roller coaster emotionally, physically and financially for all of them so far. And it will only get more challenging once their daughter is born.
At birth she will be taken immediately into another room where the resuscitation team will take over and she will be put on a ventilator and attached to a multitude of tubes to help her survive and stabilise her. Once she is stable enough she will have surgery to rectify the hole in the diaphragm, possibly days after birth. There could also be more than one procedure in the time that follows. After birth is when the real battle begins. We have been told to expect many hurdles and a long time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
No two cases of CDH are the same. It is hard to tell how each baby will fare after birth regardless of how mild or severe the initial diagnoses is and so it is hard to say what she will go through until it happens. Although it all sounds quite grim, many children who make it through the initial challenges of CDH grow up to lead an independent and active life, They have an excellent team at Mater Mothers Hospital and we just hope she can fight through this and that they are some of the lucky parents that get to take their baby home.
Those who know Kyle and Gaia know that asking for help doesn't come easy to them as they would rather battle through the hard times without inconveniencing others. But we feel that they deserve the help, as Kyle is unable to get full time employment while working around all the medical appointments, upcoming birth and the hurdles to follow.
Donations will go towards bills and any medical expenses, plus everyday living expenses to keep their little family together and able to be as positive and present as possible for all the children and each other. Every donation is appreciated, no matter what the amount, it all counts.
We know many of us have been very moved by their situation, and would like to help. They are very humbled by all the support, love and prayers that have been sent their way.
Thank-you for taking the time to read this, and please keep Gaia and her family in your prayers.
- Freia, Jacinta, Sarah, Karena and Maz
A few words from Gaia:
It has been a hard road that has taken a huge toll on our lives and the kid's lives. It's the last thing you expect after being so fortunate to have had healthy children already. But we are trying to stay positive, and although we are nervous about the birth and what follows we also can't wait to see our baby girl and hope we are some of the lucky ones who get to keep our CDH baby with us.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for every little bit of support we have received, in every form. It is extremely appreciated.
Much love from Kyle, Gaia, Oscar, Kaden and little Miss.
Organizer
Freia Dreezen
Organizer
Mona Mona QLD
