Alana Mae's Medical Bills
Donation protected
Alana Mae Bender was born on June 26, 2015. Alana was due on October 8th, 2015, so as you can see by the dates, Alana came 3+ months too early. She weighed in at a whopping 1 pound 10 ½ ounces. She is 13 ¾ inches tall. She has the most beautiful little toes! Her daddy already calls her ‘Sweet feet’. It is going to take a lot of time, energy, prayers, miracles, patience, love, faith, and hope as Alana grows.
On 6/27/15 - Alana was diagnosed with a septal defect. A septal defect refers to a hole in the wall (septum) that divides the two upper or lower chambers of the heart. Because of this hole, the blood cannot circulate as it should, and the heart has to work extra hard. A surgeon can close the hole by sewing or patching it. Small holes may heal by themselves and not need repair at all. Alana has not had any surgery for this defect. Please pray that it heals by itself.
On 7/2/15 - Alana had emergency surgery for Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC). This potentially dangerous intestinal problem most commonly affects premature babies. The bowel may become damaged when its blood supply is decreased. Bacteria that are normally present in the bowel invade the damaged area, causing more damage. Babies with NEC develop feeding problems, abdominal swelling and other complications. If tests show that a baby has NEC, she will be fed intravenously while her bowel heals. Sometimes damaged sections of intestine must be surgically removed. We are happy to say that Alana did not have this particular surgery, instead the NICU surgeons placed a small tube in the side of her tummy to drain the air and fluids. Her little intestines are healing now; unfortunately she cannot have any of my breast milk for two weeks.
On 7/3/15 Alana was diagnosed with Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH). IVH refers to bleeding in the brain and is most common in the smallest premature babies (those weighing less than 3 1/3 pounds). The bleeds usually occur in the first four days of life. Bleeding generally occurs near the fluid-filled spaces (ventricles) in the center of the brain. An ultrasound examination can show whether a baby has had a brain bleed and how severe it is. Brain bleeds usually are given a number from 1 to 4, with 4 being the most severe. Most brain bleeds are mild (grades 1 and 2) and resolve themselves with no or few lasting problems. More severe bleeds can cause difficulties for the baby during the hospitalization and possible problems in the future. Some will require careful monitoring of the baby's development throughout infancy and childhood. Alana diagnoses is early, please pray this resolves itself.
These are just a few of the medical things Alana has gone through already in her short life in just over a week. There is a long road ahead of her.
Even though we are blessed with great insurance, Alana is faced with future challenges that are going to take a lot of money. The money we are raising here is for our costs above what our insurance covers. Although we know that our God is a great provider, we are still in need of donations to cover a small portion of Alana’s medical costs. We are grateful for anything you provide to help our beautiful daughter.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
On 6/27/15 - Alana was diagnosed with a septal defect. A septal defect refers to a hole in the wall (septum) that divides the two upper or lower chambers of the heart. Because of this hole, the blood cannot circulate as it should, and the heart has to work extra hard. A surgeon can close the hole by sewing or patching it. Small holes may heal by themselves and not need repair at all. Alana has not had any surgery for this defect. Please pray that it heals by itself.
On 7/2/15 - Alana had emergency surgery for Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC). This potentially dangerous intestinal problem most commonly affects premature babies. The bowel may become damaged when its blood supply is decreased. Bacteria that are normally present in the bowel invade the damaged area, causing more damage. Babies with NEC develop feeding problems, abdominal swelling and other complications. If tests show that a baby has NEC, she will be fed intravenously while her bowel heals. Sometimes damaged sections of intestine must be surgically removed. We are happy to say that Alana did not have this particular surgery, instead the NICU surgeons placed a small tube in the side of her tummy to drain the air and fluids. Her little intestines are healing now; unfortunately she cannot have any of my breast milk for two weeks.
On 7/3/15 Alana was diagnosed with Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH). IVH refers to bleeding in the brain and is most common in the smallest premature babies (those weighing less than 3 1/3 pounds). The bleeds usually occur in the first four days of life. Bleeding generally occurs near the fluid-filled spaces (ventricles) in the center of the brain. An ultrasound examination can show whether a baby has had a brain bleed and how severe it is. Brain bleeds usually are given a number from 1 to 4, with 4 being the most severe. Most brain bleeds are mild (grades 1 and 2) and resolve themselves with no or few lasting problems. More severe bleeds can cause difficulties for the baby during the hospitalization and possible problems in the future. Some will require careful monitoring of the baby's development throughout infancy and childhood. Alana diagnoses is early, please pray this resolves itself.
These are just a few of the medical things Alana has gone through already in her short life in just over a week. There is a long road ahead of her.
Even though we are blessed with great insurance, Alana is faced with future challenges that are going to take a lot of money. The money we are raising here is for our costs above what our insurance covers. Although we know that our God is a great provider, we are still in need of donations to cover a small portion of Alana’s medical costs. We are grateful for anything you provide to help our beautiful daughter.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Organizer
Family and Friends Of the Bender Family
Organizer
Sacramento, CA