Sutton Hudgins' Medical Expenses

Hi, my name is Kristen and I like to think of myself as surrogate Aunt to Finley, Hudson and Baby Sutton.
Whitney and Matt tried hard to handle everything, without asking for assistance. I tried to set up a Go Fund Me page when Sutton was first born and Whitney said no thank you we can handle it, we just need prayers. But, I don't usually listen when Whiteny tells me not to do something. However, I did wait until they were settled in at home as a family of 5. Between Whitney's hospital bed rest, Sutton's 54 day stay in the NICU, 2-4 doctors appointment weekly for Sutton; now that she's home the bills are piling up, let alone the money on gas from driving from appointment to appointment. Most of us who know Matt and Whitney, know they don't ask for much but prayers. However, this time every little bit will help them climb over these medical bills from the past few months and any future bills Sutton may have. I know from the bottom of my heart that any donation will mean the world to them. Thank you so much for taking the time to read Sutton's story and thinking about giving to help this amazing family. Even if you are not in a financial place to donate, please continue to keep the Hudgins Family in your prayers.

Little Sutton was born prematurely at 26 weeks on April 11, 2016 weighing 2lbs 4 oz,  after Whitney staying in the hospital trying to keep her in for as long as possible. From the moment Sutton was born, we knew she would change the our lives and those who knew her.

Since she was born at 26 weeks her little body would require 12 blood transfusions throughout her stay in the NICU, but since Whitney or Matt weren't matches they had to rely on the Oklahoma Blood Bank and friends and family for Sutton's blood transfusions. Whitney was staying almost around the clock with Sutton in the NICU while everyone pitched in to take care of Finley and Hudson at home. It wasn'y until 5 days after Sutton was born that Whitney was finally able to hold her little girl!
April 16th- Her PICC line infiltrated and and pulled 22cc from her lungs. Then, her lungs collapsed.  We almost lost her. 
On April 20th, just 9 days after Sutton was born the doctors at Mercy's NICU discovered an infection causing her platelet count to fall critically low - at this point it could be one of three things: sepsis, a bowel obstruciton or meningitis.
April 22-  they were able to do a spinal tap which came back positive as meningitis. They also noticed that she could be having seizures. It was the same day that we found out she had a second grade brain bleed and the Pediatric Infection Control was called in to help manage her case. That same night Sutton's Dr. told Matt and Whitney that the infection may be too late to treat with antibiotics and they were transferring Sutton to OU Children's hospital to be around specialists (this would be Sutton's home until June 4th).
April 23- Sutton rode in style to Childrens' by ambulance. Upon arriving at Childrens' they met with a doctor who told them they had about 2 days left with sweet Sutton. Just an hour later Matt and Whitney met with the Neurosurgeon who told them her infection was something to watch and not get shock up about yet because they would place a shunt in to aspirate the infection. But then the Infectious Disease Specialist told them "survival is not an issue at the moment!" Her prognosis was poor but not grave!
April 25- Sutton recieved her 11th blood tarnsfusion. Her seizures are under contol. Her brain infection (meningitis) is a grade III and is in her CSF and brain ventricles. She is still to critical to place a shunt. Sutton is still "riding" the vent but occesionally taking breaths on her own. 
April 27 - Sutton has not only 1 but 2 holes in her tiny heart :PDA and PFO.
April 28- Sutton's brain ultrasound came back with no change, meaning she still has an infection but it's not any worse. Big sister Finley came to vist and gave Whitney words she needed to hear "Do not fear! God is here!!". Sutton is still critical but her vitals are stable.
May 1- Sutton had a great day! She has been weened off most of her pain meds. The doctor took out her stomach suction and are hoping to start feeding tomrrow. She is taking breaths on her own and they were able to ween down the ventilator setting! Sutton's spinal tap came back negative!!! The antibotics were working! She still has the infection trapped in her brain and a brain bleed.
May 3- Sutton has a new ventilator. They started feeding 1mL of milk every 4 hours. Whitney met with the Cardiologist who told her Sutton has a "dominating large hole" and they usually do surgery to fix it quickly, but no surgeron will touch it because of the infection. We will reevaluate in 2 weeks after she finishes the antibiotics. Whitney was able to do Kangaroo Care for 3 hours!
May 4- Aunt Kristen came to vist!
May 5- Sutton's brain bleed is still a grade III. They were able to ween her a little more off her ventilator and they increased feedings to 2mL every 4 hours. She's taking steps in the right direction! Matt and Whitney both got lots of Sutton sunggles.
May 7 - SHE'S OFF THE VENTILATOR!!! We increased her feeds again to 4mL every 3 hours. No changes in her brain or her heart.
May 8- Whitney's birthday and she got to take their first picture as a family of 5!
May 9- Sutton is 5 weeks old and Moo Moo finally got to hold her!
May 10 - Sutton reached 3 pounds!
May 18 - Sutton is meningitis free and will have her PICC line removed in a couple days!! She started physical therapy to help her muscles devlop. Her feeds are now increased to 27mL every 3 hours through a feeding tube. NO heart surgery! She still has 2 holes in her heart, the PDA (the big one) is still there but actually closing. This isn't to say she might not have to have surgery at a later date.
May 19 - Unfortunately we didn't get the news we wanted to hear. The Nurosurgeon met with Sutton and is concerned that the Meningitis might have redeveloped because the rapid change in her head size (2.5cm in the last week). They are doing another spinal tap (4th one), blood work, and a CT scan. Sutton will have one to three shunts placed Tuesday (May 24), if she comes back meningitis free.
May 21- Sutton will have one VP shunt placed on Tuesday (May 24) morning. Because the hydrocephalus was caused by the meningitis, Sutton will need the shunt for the rest of her life and it will always be a concern.
May 24 - Sutton's first haircut! The shunt placement went well and no complications other than they couldn't get her extubated. So she will stay on the ventliator until she's ready to come back off.
May 25- She is now off ventilation and back on the nasal cannula! Sutton only has 2 hurdles to jump before she can go home! Bottle feeding and weighing a minimum of 4lbs.
May 26 - Sutton is enjoying freedom from the "big box" as Finley calls it and is almost 4lbs!
May 28- Sutton drank from a bottle! She is also off oxygen!
May 31- Whitney sat down with the doctor and told them Sutton is ready and she was ready to go home. So once Sutton can old her own temperature outside the isolette for 24-48 hours - SHE'S GOING HOME!!
JUNE 2- Aunt Faith came to vist and we got to do the carseat test! Passed with flying colors.
June 4- Sutton broke out of Children's Hospital and is going home!!!

Sutton is now home and doing great! She continues weekly regular checkup, physical therapy, occupational therapy, Neurology and Opthalmology appointments. Due to the sever prematuraity, Meningitis and grade 3 IVH, she could possibly have moderate/sever brain damage. Every day and simple hurdle jumped is a blessing. We never take a moment for granted. We thank Jesus for saving her life and letting her story be a great testimony for God's goodness.