Hope for Faith and Grace

Our Story: "We have some concerns about your twins"


On Aug 6th 2014 after a high res ultra sound on the twins I had carried in my belly for 24 weeks, I heard a doctor say the words no expecting mom wants to hear "We have some concerns about your twins, can you meet with us today to discuss it?" 


That day was one of the most heart breaking days in my life, I learned that both of my babies had significant birth defects. Baby A whom we named "Faith" has a condition called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia - translation: she has a hole in her diaphragm that allows her internal organs below to float up into her chest and smash her lungs and heart. This drastically slows the development of the lungs and causes problems with her heart. No one knows what causes CDH.





I have been told that once she is born Faith has a 30% to 50% chance of living after an emergency surgery to repair the diaphragm and put the internal organs back where they belong. 



If Faith survives she faces several more surgeries and a long stay in the NICU before returning home. All the lifesaving measures the doctors use will take a toll on her tiny body, she may come home and eventually, fully recover or she may come home and be in need of care for the foreseeable future.
 

On that day we were also told that while Baby B's life (whom we named "Grace") is not in immediate danger she would be born with a significant cleft lip and palate. While repairable, Grace, will require several surgeries, dental correction, and possibly speech therapy to overcome the cleft palate. 



We are not ashamed of our babies. With every kick and each movement in my belly I love them more and more. 



While we are not ashamed of our babies - this is obviously not what we had hoped and planned for. It's every parents nightmare to have to prepare themselves for the possibility of meeting one of their long awaited babies only to have to spend those first moments saying goodbye to them. With every kick and each movement in my belly I love them more and more. Its hard to imagine that one is so sick. 





A pregnancy that was once filled with excitement and joy has been replaced by one filled with fear and sadness. Faith and Grace were our surprise miracle babies now it is uncertain if we will be going home with them both.



My Husband and I live in a rural area, we both currently commute to work at full time jobs and we both work additional jobs whenever possible to help make ends meet. In fact, some of you may be familar with the work I do to teach others about emergency preparedness and self-reliance sticking by the simple motto of 'helping others, help themsevles'. 

We were just barely prepared to meet the financial demands of twin babies, we were not prepared for this. I will not be able to work for a long period of time while caring for Faith, if God willing, she survives and Grace. Of course this is already exceeding certain coverages in our medical plan.



So, we are asking for help.





We are asking our community, friends and family for help in this time of need with our already mounting medical bills and would greatly appreciate any help you could send our way. If the worst happens and we lose "Faith" any money raised will go towards funeral costs. Another thing we did not plan on having to deal with as expectant parents. 

As a couple living a "self-sufficient and self-reliant" lifestyle we have always prided ourselves on being able to take care of whatever arises without outside help, therefore the decision to ask for help was not an easy one.

We feel a starting goal of raising $20,000 will help prepare us financially for either outcome of the situation, it will help us get already pending medical bills paid and will also help Grace get the cleft lip and palate surgeries she needs in a timely manner. Please donate today - it only takes a few moments with "gofundme's" easy and secure donation system. We also can take offline donations through an account set up at a local Credit Union, and via PayPal - use the message option to send me a message and ask how. Offline donations are also added to the total for the goal.



Thank you so much for taking the time to read our story - I will be posting updates as I get them on the twins condition and how the money is being used. 



Please Share Our Story!



Please share our story with your friends on Twitter and Facebook by clicking on the social media buttons below or by copying and pasting the above URL. Post it on your wall, or in online groups you belong to.  Every time someone new reads our story it helps. 


Thank you so much for your help and prayers. Here is Faith and Grace's fb page, give it a like to stay up-to-date with everything going on for the twins:  Hope for Faith and Grace on FB 


-Stephanie (Dayle) Uhden

Click Here to Learn More about CDH

Click Here to Learn More about Cleft Lip and Palate