Support Jude and family during NICU stay

We’ve had so much support during our NICU stay from prayers and cards to daily texts! At times it’s hard to stay on top of everything. Many have reached out wanting our PayPal, Venmo or address as well as updates. We have decided to set up a go fund me account on Jude's behalf. This will help us keep everyone updated and make it easier to give if you so desire! Jude Anthony Deen made his arrival one month early on April 25, 2020 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. He was born via emergency c section due to early labor and unreassuring heart tones. Tiffany (Jude's Mom) was seeing a specialist in Albany in her third trimester due to polyhydramnios (extra amniotic fluid) and because Jude's stomach was very small and appeared to be collapsed/empty. This arose assumption of a possible TEF diagnosis. Once born, an attempt to pass a tube down Jude's throat was made. This was unsuccessful as it curled up in his esophagus not making way to the stomach. Jude was immediately transported 2 hours away to Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital of Macon leaving his mom behind without ever being held. Once in Macon, Jude was officially diagnosed with Esophageal Atresia with a Fistula (TEF type B) Only 1 in 4,000 babies receive this diagnosis. The type that Jude has is in 1% of cases making it extremely rare! This is not a genetic disorder but simply a fluke that occurs in utero. The esophagus is supposed to connect to the stomach sometime during the first trimester, but with TEF a misfire happens and the connection is not made. Every time Jude would swallow, the fluid could not pass through to the stomach and he would spit it back up. This explained his collapsed stomach as well as the polyhydramnios. Jude has had multiple contrast studies, ultrasounds, X rays, procedures, labs, ventilators, oxygen and surgeries during his NICU stay with more to be expected. Some were planned and others performed as an emergency from complications with surgery. Jude is currently recovering and healing from two recent emergency surgeries. He has multiple drains to keep unwanted fluid out of his belly and a nasal tube that will stay in until his final surgery. The nasal tube intermittently suctions and keeps his secretions from building up and being trapped in his esophagus. Jude is receiving all of his nutrients via fluids from a picc line. Hopefully very soon his intestines and stomach will be healed and able to tolerate feeding from His Gbutton again. The end goal is to perform a magnet procedure that has only been done 30 times in the entire world. This method is less invasive than traditional procedures and will bring Jude's esophagus to his stomach making a connection for the first time by fusing the two together! After this procedure is successful, Jude will learn how to take a bottle but will still accept feeds thru his G button. The connection is expected to be narrow to start so he will also have to come back for regular dilation's to keep the connection open as he learns to eat. This journey has just begun but we are so blessed with our brilliant and beautiful baby boy! Jude has such a gorgeous soul and a fighting spirit! He is so intuitive, alert and into everyone’s conversations. He handles everything that is thrown at him with such grace. He is a champion!!! Jude loves his paci the most, next to head rubs and cuddles. The only people he knows wear mask (thanks covid) but he definitely recognizes mommy and Gramps voice! (limited visitor policy or I’m sure the whole family would be trying to see sweet baby Jude!) Thanks so much for all of the support along the way. To those who have given from the heart for food, bills, laundry and supplies we are forever grateful! Your generosity allows Jude the physical support of his Mother and Gramps while his Dad is away serving our country. We will continue to post updates as Jude heals and grows. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers. All is appreciated and we pray everyone is blessed!