Baby Alexia's Medical Care
Donation protected
Hello, my name is Sarah Ferrell and this is the story of my beautiful daughter Alexia...
I am the proud wife of Glenn "Brooks", an Army Soldier, stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentuky. We were overjoyed to find out we were pregnant right around Valentine's Day 2016. Alexia Elizabeth Louise Ferrell is due October 14th, 2016!!! The early part of the pregnancy was perfect with just a little nausea and reflux. Even though everything was perfect I had a little nagging feeling that something was not quite right...
In April, Brooks got orders that he was being deployed. We had just had ultrasounds and were told that everything was perfect and that we were expecting a GIRL! Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy! To get rid of that nagging feeling I had some screening tests done to make sure everything was okay.
The next few weeks were very busy as we planned for his deployment and decided I would go stay with my mom in Alaska so I could have the baby there with the love and support of family. We placed our belonging in storage...The night before he left, Brooks got to feel his daughter kick him for the very first time. Being a mom is awesome and he is so excited to be a dad!
A few days later, while traveling and ready to catch the next flight to Kodiak, AK, the doctor called. She said the screening tests showed a 1 in 79 chance the baby had Down Syndrome. I was devastated, crushed, terrified, and felt so very alone at that moment. I had the opportunity to call my mom and a few friends and thanks to their kind words I was able to calm down and recognize that the test was for screening purposes only. There was still a possibility the test was wrong...
A few days after I got to Kodiak I had genetic testing done and a week later I got the call that said my daughter did have Down Syndrome. By the time this test was back I had already came to expect the diagnosis and knew that my daughter was so loved by me and her daddy already!I also knew that with the love and support of my family and friends, and knowing that I can do all things through him that strengthens me... I no longer needed to be afraid.
The doctors here want me to travel to Anchorage for medical care. (Kodiak Island is equiped to handle most normal pregnancies and deliveries.) However, they wanted to make sure it would be safe and planned for me to be checked by a specialist. At that time I found out my insurance DOES NOT cover travel expenses related to medical care. Because I am on an island I must fly to and from Anchorage and the cost of tickets is astronomical. My last appointment cost us over 900 dollars for one round trip! Because my husband is military we tried to get Tricare Standard to cover this expense and they would not do it. My sweet husband and his command have tried everything in their power to help and Tricare will still not budge!
After seeing the specialist in Anchorage I have learned that Alexia is a beautiful active child who will have Down Syndrome. She has short pinkie fingers and short little legs...and she exercises those legs by kicking hard and often!
After seeing the Perinatologist we have learned that Alexia has a dialated and blocked kidney, a small blockage in her stomach near her intestines, a heart arrhythmia (hole in her heart), and polyhydramnios, which is an excess of amniotic fluid. The doctor has stated that many of these issues can be fixed soon after birth. Which is a wonderful blessing.
Because Alexia can not be delivered on Kodiak Island safely where we would have family support, Brooks' command has decided to send him home so he can be here to support us. YEA!!!
Now what we need help for...savings was depleted for this last unexpected trip to Anchorage for care, I have another visit already scheduled in a few weeks. After Brooks gets back to Fort Cambell we must pay for him to travel to and from Alaska to accompany me back to Kentucky (doctor does not want me traveling alone...) We will also be having to make frequent trips to Nashville to Vanderbilt Medical Center. Additionally, we are being told to expect a stay in NICU when she is born and will need to pay for extra expenses related to that.
Brooks and I are both overjoyed to be the parents of such a sweet and special daughter. We are 100% comfortable with her diagnosis and want to be the best parents we can be.
Our biggest strain and concern is trying to figure out how I can get to appropriate medical care before it becomes a medical emergency. We know that proper medical intervention and care will give our daugher the best chance for a healthy and safe delivery. I am sad that I will not be able to be with my family during the remainder of my pregnancy and delivery but I know that I must do whatever I have to to ensure Alexia's health.
Thank you for taking your time to read about Alexia. If you are unable to donate we kindly ask for prayers and your willingness to share this page with others.
Thank you for all your support!
I am the proud wife of Glenn "Brooks", an Army Soldier, stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentuky. We were overjoyed to find out we were pregnant right around Valentine's Day 2016. Alexia Elizabeth Louise Ferrell is due October 14th, 2016!!! The early part of the pregnancy was perfect with just a little nausea and reflux. Even though everything was perfect I had a little nagging feeling that something was not quite right...
In April, Brooks got orders that he was being deployed. We had just had ultrasounds and were told that everything was perfect and that we were expecting a GIRL! Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy! To get rid of that nagging feeling I had some screening tests done to make sure everything was okay.
The next few weeks were very busy as we planned for his deployment and decided I would go stay with my mom in Alaska so I could have the baby there with the love and support of family. We placed our belonging in storage...The night before he left, Brooks got to feel his daughter kick him for the very first time. Being a mom is awesome and he is so excited to be a dad!
A few days later, while traveling and ready to catch the next flight to Kodiak, AK, the doctor called. She said the screening tests showed a 1 in 79 chance the baby had Down Syndrome. I was devastated, crushed, terrified, and felt so very alone at that moment. I had the opportunity to call my mom and a few friends and thanks to their kind words I was able to calm down and recognize that the test was for screening purposes only. There was still a possibility the test was wrong...
A few days after I got to Kodiak I had genetic testing done and a week later I got the call that said my daughter did have Down Syndrome. By the time this test was back I had already came to expect the diagnosis and knew that my daughter was so loved by me and her daddy already!I also knew that with the love and support of my family and friends, and knowing that I can do all things through him that strengthens me... I no longer needed to be afraid.
The doctors here want me to travel to Anchorage for medical care. (Kodiak Island is equiped to handle most normal pregnancies and deliveries.) However, they wanted to make sure it would be safe and planned for me to be checked by a specialist. At that time I found out my insurance DOES NOT cover travel expenses related to medical care. Because I am on an island I must fly to and from Anchorage and the cost of tickets is astronomical. My last appointment cost us over 900 dollars for one round trip! Because my husband is military we tried to get Tricare Standard to cover this expense and they would not do it. My sweet husband and his command have tried everything in their power to help and Tricare will still not budge!
After seeing the specialist in Anchorage I have learned that Alexia is a beautiful active child who will have Down Syndrome. She has short pinkie fingers and short little legs...and she exercises those legs by kicking hard and often!
After seeing the Perinatologist we have learned that Alexia has a dialated and blocked kidney, a small blockage in her stomach near her intestines, a heart arrhythmia (hole in her heart), and polyhydramnios, which is an excess of amniotic fluid. The doctor has stated that many of these issues can be fixed soon after birth. Which is a wonderful blessing.
Because Alexia can not be delivered on Kodiak Island safely where we would have family support, Brooks' command has decided to send him home so he can be here to support us. YEA!!!
Now what we need help for...savings was depleted for this last unexpected trip to Anchorage for care, I have another visit already scheduled in a few weeks. After Brooks gets back to Fort Cambell we must pay for him to travel to and from Alaska to accompany me back to Kentucky (doctor does not want me traveling alone...) We will also be having to make frequent trips to Nashville to Vanderbilt Medical Center. Additionally, we are being told to expect a stay in NICU when she is born and will need to pay for extra expenses related to that.
Brooks and I are both overjoyed to be the parents of such a sweet and special daughter. We are 100% comfortable with her diagnosis and want to be the best parents we can be.
Our biggest strain and concern is trying to figure out how I can get to appropriate medical care before it becomes a medical emergency. We know that proper medical intervention and care will give our daugher the best chance for a healthy and safe delivery. I am sad that I will not be able to be with my family during the remainder of my pregnancy and delivery but I know that I must do whatever I have to to ensure Alexia's health.
Thank you for taking your time to read about Alexia. If you are unable to donate we kindly ask for prayers and your willingness to share this page with others.
Thank you for all your support!
Organizer
Sarah Elizabeth Ferrell
Organizer
Fort Campbell North, KY