Evelyn's Branchial Cleft Surgery

Our daughter Evelyn, who most know as Minnie, was born March 2012. At the time of her birth she was as perfect as could be. The night before our release date my husband noticed when she cried she would stop breathing, the nurse checked her and confirmed. She immediately took her to the nursery and had the doctor look at her, they then did x-rays and decided she needed to be transported to another hospital and have surgery. This was the most terrifying news we have ever heard. They had to sedate and intubate her. We had to follow the ambulance to the other hospital, where she was admitted to the NICU. Tests and an MRI were done and surgery was decided. At five days old she had a semi non invasive surgery to remove a mass in her throat. I say semi because they just went in through the mouth and no incisions were made externally. Along with explaining the mass in the throat in the MRI they also pointed out another mass stemming from her ear canal area.They told us not to worry about it until it started giving her problems. At about six months her face started to droop a little on the left we were told she had Torticollis, it really was swelling. At about thirteen months she had a small whitehead looking thing in the dimple of her neck it smelled horrible and my husband barley touched it and it just erupted and drained like crazy. She had an infection of her branchial cleft cyst, after the round of antibiotics her face was a normal size and we were not sure when or if it would get infected again. Her ENT surgeon at the time told us no one in the state would do the surgery due to her age and the risks involved with how her situation presented itself. It is dangerously close to her artery and weaves through her nerves for her face and arm. We were referred to Boston and Ohio even Canada for surgery or we could wait it out. With every infection or swelling it causes more scar tissue and that makes it more difficult to remove completely which causes it to grow back or more chance for nerve damage. After the first infection cleared about a week later it swelled and started draining again. It has been about two months now of draining which causes the skin to turn very nasty in the area of draining and it causes her pain. We have finally found an ENT surgeon that is confident to do the surgery. We are anxiously awaiting the call to set up a date for the surgery. With the factors of her age, size and rarity of the placement through her face and neck she will need two surgeons and a plastic surgeon due to the massive scar (they will basically peel the side of her face back) We are also waiting to see if we will need a neurologist in the operating room as well in case there are any issues with her nerves during the surgery. She is our precious angel and we don't want her to experience any more discomfort or pain. My fear is her losing movement in her face, mouth or arm. One thing I know she won't lose is that light in her eyes, the little twinkle. So we are asking for your help and generosity with the medical bills that will come along with this surgery. Anything will be a huge help to us and if a monetary donation is not feasible prayers are always welcome and appreciated after all it is all in Gods hands. Thank you so much and God bless.