Day by Day with Evelyn Kay
Donation protected
On March 8th, 2018, I checked into the hospital to give birth to my first child, Evelyn Kay. My husband, Jesse, and I were so excited that soon we would meet our baby girl. However, due to circumstances beyond my control, the emergency c-section that was performed on me did not go well. What was supposed to be the most beautiful moment in our lives, became a nightmare we could never even have imagined.
Due to a placenta abruption, Evelyn was without oxygen for more than 17 minutes at the time of her birth. Once revived, our baby girl had to be rushed to Oakland Children's Hospital, before I could even hold her in my arms.
Evelyn was immediately placed into treatment for HIE: Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy, a type of brain damage that occurs when an infant's brain doesn't receive enough oxygen and blood. We were told that it is a dangerous condition,Evelyn's case was severe and that she showed little to no brain activity. The chances for my sweet baby girl to survive this traumatic event were so low. If she were to survive, the brain damage would limit her life in an unimaginable way. She would never walk, talk, eat, feel emotions, and most importantly, she would never breathe on her own...
But then...
Over the next week, beyond even her doctor's understanding, she opened her eyes! She looked around the room, and has done so, every day since!
Soon after that, she began to move around with intention, "No, I DON'T like my diaper changed, thank you very much!" And as of two days ago Evelyn Kay Esquivel does NOT need any help breathing!
We then had another meeting with her doctors where they let us know, Evelyn WILL be able to come home one day. And it may be one day SOON.
We have a long way to go and know that it won't be easy. Here's where we need your help!
Due to Evelyn's HIE status and the brain damage she endured, she will need extensive and expensive medical care:
WORK: As you can imagine, we've not been back to work since Evelyn was born, and truly, we are not sure when my husband will be able to go back to his job as a construction worker. I myself, had planned to take my 6 weeks of maternity leave from work, to then return to my job...but work(ed) at... Toys R' Us... the toy store that just announced its bankrupt and is closing of all of its stores (when it rains, it pours!).
Now that Evelyn will need round the clock home care and development, I will need to stay home permanently, and becoming a one income household was not in the plan!
HOME: So... we have to move.
Evelyn's care team is dedicated to staying with her care and progress, for at least the first 3 years of her life, to give her a fighting chance at a full life! They are helping us to find programs that will help pay for some of the cost for her ongoing medical needs. However, we will only qualify for these programs if we live in Alameda County. For those of you who aren't from California, this is the moment when you go... "gulp"! $$$
While Jesse and I have been saving for our own apartment the last few months, we've been staying with family as we got closer to my due date (..to relieve the stress of trying to move with a very pregnant wife!) However, with this sudden, tragic event in our lives, all of our savings for a new apartment has gone to bills that've stacked up while we've been at the hospital and out of work. And those bills will keep coming!
For the time being, we are staying near Evelyn in The Family House at Oakland Children's Hospital. But when she's ready to come home, we will need somewhere to live. A place that can accomodate a sick infant! With your help, we can put down a deposit for an apartment.
MEDICAL: Evelyn will need special equipment and medical supplies once she comes home. She will have to eat through a feeding tube, be hooked up to a heart monitor at all times, receive exstentive neurological and physical therapies, and much more that we don't even know of or know how to explain yet. And it will ALL cost more than we'll ever be able to make.
I know this is a big ask. But I need to bring my baby girl home. She deserves a chance!
That can only start here, in the beginning. That starts with your help! Would you be willing to make a donation today? Every bit helps. Our entire family thanks you in advance.
Thank you and God bless!
Tammy, Jesse, and our new baby, Evelyn Esquivel ❤️
Due to a placenta abruption, Evelyn was without oxygen for more than 17 minutes at the time of her birth. Once revived, our baby girl had to be rushed to Oakland Children's Hospital, before I could even hold her in my arms.
Evelyn was immediately placed into treatment for HIE: Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy, a type of brain damage that occurs when an infant's brain doesn't receive enough oxygen and blood. We were told that it is a dangerous condition,Evelyn's case was severe and that she showed little to no brain activity. The chances for my sweet baby girl to survive this traumatic event were so low. If she were to survive, the brain damage would limit her life in an unimaginable way. She would never walk, talk, eat, feel emotions, and most importantly, she would never breathe on her own...
But then...
Over the next week, beyond even her doctor's understanding, she opened her eyes! She looked around the room, and has done so, every day since!
Soon after that, she began to move around with intention, "No, I DON'T like my diaper changed, thank you very much!" And as of two days ago Evelyn Kay Esquivel does NOT need any help breathing!
We then had another meeting with her doctors where they let us know, Evelyn WILL be able to come home one day. And it may be one day SOON.
We have a long way to go and know that it won't be easy. Here's where we need your help!
Due to Evelyn's HIE status and the brain damage she endured, she will need extensive and expensive medical care:
WORK: As you can imagine, we've not been back to work since Evelyn was born, and truly, we are not sure when my husband will be able to go back to his job as a construction worker. I myself, had planned to take my 6 weeks of maternity leave from work, to then return to my job...but work(ed) at... Toys R' Us... the toy store that just announced its bankrupt and is closing of all of its stores (when it rains, it pours!).
Now that Evelyn will need round the clock home care and development, I will need to stay home permanently, and becoming a one income household was not in the plan!
HOME: So... we have to move.
Evelyn's care team is dedicated to staying with her care and progress, for at least the first 3 years of her life, to give her a fighting chance at a full life! They are helping us to find programs that will help pay for some of the cost for her ongoing medical needs. However, we will only qualify for these programs if we live in Alameda County. For those of you who aren't from California, this is the moment when you go... "gulp"! $$$
While Jesse and I have been saving for our own apartment the last few months, we've been staying with family as we got closer to my due date (..to relieve the stress of trying to move with a very pregnant wife!) However, with this sudden, tragic event in our lives, all of our savings for a new apartment has gone to bills that've stacked up while we've been at the hospital and out of work. And those bills will keep coming!
For the time being, we are staying near Evelyn in The Family House at Oakland Children's Hospital. But when she's ready to come home, we will need somewhere to live. A place that can accomodate a sick infant! With your help, we can put down a deposit for an apartment.
MEDICAL: Evelyn will need special equipment and medical supplies once she comes home. She will have to eat through a feeding tube, be hooked up to a heart monitor at all times, receive exstentive neurological and physical therapies, and much more that we don't even know of or know how to explain yet. And it will ALL cost more than we'll ever be able to make.
I know this is a big ask. But I need to bring my baby girl home. She deserves a chance!
That can only start here, in the beginning. That starts with your help! Would you be willing to make a donation today? Every bit helps. Our entire family thanks you in advance.
Thank you and God bless!
Tammy, Jesse, and our new baby, Evelyn Esquivel ❤️
Organizer
Tammy Barnes Esquivel
Organizer
Livermore, CA
