Allyson Riggs & baby Rowan's journey to better
Donation protected
Rowan was born August 5th with the diagnosis of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) which is a birth defect in which a hole is in the diaphragm that allowed his intestines, stomach, liver and other abdominal organs to enter the chest cavity. Immediately after birth he was transferred to Boston Children’s Hospital for his first of many surgeries. In September he traveled back to Maine with a feeding tube in his nose and spent a few weeks living as a healthy and happy baby.
On a return visit to Boston on September 28th for a routine checkup and swallow study things took a serious turn for the worse. Upon waking that day Rowan started vomiting non-stop. His new very scared parents Allyson and Brandon left at 6am to get him down to Boston asap. The vomiting continued the entire trip so they called the ambulance once they hit the border. Once Rowan arrived at Boston Children’s Hospital Emergency Department his team detected that he had gone “sepsis”. His scar tissue from his first surgery was healing while intertwining into his small intestine, causing his small intestine so much damage that it killed 80% of it. His feces and bacteria had nowhere to pass through causing this potentially deadly blockage.
Rowan’s second surgery removed 80% of his intestine which has given him the diagnosis of “Short Bowel Syndrome” (SBS) or “short gut”.
He is now on full time feeds. He is getting what is called PN “parental nutrition” which is a mix of nutrients, fats and vitamins to support his healthy growth. He also has an ostomy to collect his stool because what is left his intestine will need to be reconnected in the future with another surgery once his tiny body is repaired well enough to reconnect it to his colon.
Rowan has a long road to recovery. His parents haven’t left his side and are fortunate to be able to live in his hospital room with him. GOD willing, they are hopeful to be able to return to Maine in January.
In the spirit of holiday giving please keep this young family in your heart, thoughts and prayers and consider supporting them with a small donation to help with medical bills and living expenses.
Thank you all for your kindness.
xoxo
On a return visit to Boston on September 28th for a routine checkup and swallow study things took a serious turn for the worse. Upon waking that day Rowan started vomiting non-stop. His new very scared parents Allyson and Brandon left at 6am to get him down to Boston asap. The vomiting continued the entire trip so they called the ambulance once they hit the border. Once Rowan arrived at Boston Children’s Hospital Emergency Department his team detected that he had gone “sepsis”. His scar tissue from his first surgery was healing while intertwining into his small intestine, causing his small intestine so much damage that it killed 80% of it. His feces and bacteria had nowhere to pass through causing this potentially deadly blockage.
Rowan’s second surgery removed 80% of his intestine which has given him the diagnosis of “Short Bowel Syndrome” (SBS) or “short gut”.
He is now on full time feeds. He is getting what is called PN “parental nutrition” which is a mix of nutrients, fats and vitamins to support his healthy growth. He also has an ostomy to collect his stool because what is left his intestine will need to be reconnected in the future with another surgery once his tiny body is repaired well enough to reconnect it to his colon.
Rowan has a long road to recovery. His parents haven’t left his side and are fortunate to be able to live in his hospital room with him. GOD willing, they are hopeful to be able to return to Maine in January.
In the spirit of holiday giving please keep this young family in your heart, thoughts and prayers and consider supporting them with a small donation to help with medical bills and living expenses.
Thank you all for your kindness.
xoxo
Organiser and beneficiary
Tammy Tecklenburg
Organiser
New Preston, CT
Allyson Riggs
Beneficiary
