Please help our little Leah grow
Donation protected
I said I would not do this, but the need is great - and any help would be greatly appreciated.
It began when Mama's water broke while on a trip to Ohio. Baby was 23 weeks 5 days. So begins the story.....
Mama was taken to a hospital in Ohio, and then by Life Flight to Indianapolis to IU Merhodist/ Riley Hospital. Approximately 10 days later, despite massive efforts to hold off delivery, our tiny miracle was born at 25+ weeks and 2 pounds 2 ounces.,13.5 inches long. Leah Grace began her life in a most amazing NICU environment possible. Mama has stayed down in Indy (two hours away from home and jobs) both as a recovering patient herself - as Mama had massive infection inside of her which required the doctors to reopen her c-section incision and spend many long weeks attached to a wound vac to aide in the healing, and as the devoted Mama to her two little girls. The two additional times of visiting triage, her re-admittance as an inpatient, and on-going wound care visits have added to the cost, worry and the story of their days. Daddy has driven back home on weekdays to maintain a four day a week (10 hour days) work schedule, and driving back on weekends to be with his wife and baby. They are extremely grateful to have secured a room at Ronald McDonald House - Indianapolis. And greatly appreciate all the volunteers that prepare meals, bring donations, and generally try to make the families of seriously ill children as normal as possible.
Leah is making good progress. As with most micro-preemies, Leah is struggling to regulate breathing on her own. She has twice had to be intubated, progressing each time back to a SIPap, and now on CPap breathing support. Leah has had the benefit of donor breast milk (thank you anonymous person) until Mama was able to catch up with her baby. Leah has also had three blood transfusions, which is not uncommon to preemies. The NICU calls it 'jet fuel' and the growth is good afterwards.
All this going on while Leah's big sister, at almost 3 years old, is trying to understand all the back and forth and why Mama is at the 'doctor helper'. Thankful for FaceTime to allow for better communication. She is a smart big sister. She is getting it all and doing well.
One recent incident was just really hard to understand, though, when their 2002 Honda Odyssey was parked in the hospital parking garage, someone actually got under the vehicle to cut off their catalytic converter to sell for parts. When Mama asked why someone would do that in a hospital parking garage when no one is there for fun??, I told her for that unscrupulous person it was like shopping at a big box store.
So, that is what we know up to this point. As far as being able to tell, Leah will probably come home (still months down the road as her original due date was July 31) with oxygen support. She will have several visits back to see specialists and we will see what God has in store for our tiny miracle.
And, sincerely, any help and all the prayers are greatly appreciated.
Thank you from Grami.
It began when Mama's water broke while on a trip to Ohio. Baby was 23 weeks 5 days. So begins the story.....
Mama was taken to a hospital in Ohio, and then by Life Flight to Indianapolis to IU Merhodist/ Riley Hospital. Approximately 10 days later, despite massive efforts to hold off delivery, our tiny miracle was born at 25+ weeks and 2 pounds 2 ounces.,13.5 inches long. Leah Grace began her life in a most amazing NICU environment possible. Mama has stayed down in Indy (two hours away from home and jobs) both as a recovering patient herself - as Mama had massive infection inside of her which required the doctors to reopen her c-section incision and spend many long weeks attached to a wound vac to aide in the healing, and as the devoted Mama to her two little girls. The two additional times of visiting triage, her re-admittance as an inpatient, and on-going wound care visits have added to the cost, worry and the story of their days. Daddy has driven back home on weekdays to maintain a four day a week (10 hour days) work schedule, and driving back on weekends to be with his wife and baby. They are extremely grateful to have secured a room at Ronald McDonald House - Indianapolis. And greatly appreciate all the volunteers that prepare meals, bring donations, and generally try to make the families of seriously ill children as normal as possible.
Leah is making good progress. As with most micro-preemies, Leah is struggling to regulate breathing on her own. She has twice had to be intubated, progressing each time back to a SIPap, and now on CPap breathing support. Leah has had the benefit of donor breast milk (thank you anonymous person) until Mama was able to catch up with her baby. Leah has also had three blood transfusions, which is not uncommon to preemies. The NICU calls it 'jet fuel' and the growth is good afterwards.
All this going on while Leah's big sister, at almost 3 years old, is trying to understand all the back and forth and why Mama is at the 'doctor helper'. Thankful for FaceTime to allow for better communication. She is a smart big sister. She is getting it all and doing well.
One recent incident was just really hard to understand, though, when their 2002 Honda Odyssey was parked in the hospital parking garage, someone actually got under the vehicle to cut off their catalytic converter to sell for parts. When Mama asked why someone would do that in a hospital parking garage when no one is there for fun??, I told her for that unscrupulous person it was like shopping at a big box store.
So, that is what we know up to this point. As far as being able to tell, Leah will probably come home (still months down the road as her original due date was July 31) with oxygen support. She will have several visits back to see specialists and we will see what God has in store for our tiny miracle.
And, sincerely, any help and all the prayers are greatly appreciated.
Thank you from Grami.
Organizer
Cheryl Atteberry
Organizer
Crown Point, IN