Answers for Aspen

Apologies for the long read, we are continuously questioned on has she tried everything and we firmly believe that she has.

 At just six and a half months old, Aspen Lynn Anber has had more health issues than most and it is heartbreaking to watch. 

From day one, Aspen has thrown up at every feeding and Aspen’s Mom, Taylor, has received conflicting advice. The doctors told her to stop breast feeding, try special formulas, try all the allergen formulas, spit up formula, try probiotics, medications. Hundreds of dollars spent, and her condition has not improved. 

During a weigh in at the health clinic in late November the nurses were very concerned that she was not gaining weight and that even with various formula changes, she was throwing up the majority of it. She took her to emergency and was turned away as she was not considered an emergency.

 Aspen ended up in the hospital for five days in early December and was diagnosed with

” Failure To Thrive”. Taylor was promised while they were admitted that further testing would be done. They discharged her with no testing done and no plan in place like previously agreed upon. She had dropped to the 4th percentile and was severely dehydrated.  

She ended up in hospital again in early January and Taylor met with a dietician to come up with a plan of starting solids early to get Aspen gaining weight. This has helped, but at 6 months old, she only weighs 13 lbs. 

During this time Aspen has now developed anal lesions and no one can seem to agree on what they are.  Instead, they've maxed Aspen on her daily intake of laxatives to try and prevent further tearing, irritation and bleeding.  In the past month they have doubled in size, split open and are bleeding at every diaper change. She cries so hard and is gasping for air, the pain is so bad.

 Taylor took Aspen to emergency last week and the doctor told her to “go home, you’re not an emergency”.  Taylor refused, after sitting there for 13 hours she finally was able to see her pediatrician who was on call. They ordered an x-ray, which showed her filled with gas and was diagnosed with Perineal Pyramidal Protrusion. The pediatrician sent images of the lesions to a surgeon at BC Children's in hopes of finding answers as it is very rare. She received a zoom with a surgeon who told her no surgeries were being performed for the next two months as they were upgrading equipment and it was emergencies only due to covid. She likely does not need a surgeon, but a pediatrician who specializes in gastric issues to find 1 of 3 underlying issues that cause this. 

 With the countless hours of research we've done, Aspen could have a very rare case of infant Crohn’s. To get a diagnosis, she needs to be referred to a specialist in Vancouver and get private testing for Aspen for a colonoscopy, specialized ultrasound and a CT scan to determine what is going on internally. 

 These trips to Vancouver and the cost of private testing are going to be financially unfeasible as each test starts at $1500 and she needs multiple. At what point do you put a price limit on your child's health. We aren't ones to ask for help, we usually find a solution to every problem. Our family will continue to fight for her and do whatever we can, but this time we need a little help. We’re asking if you have any amount you can spare, we would greatly appreciate the donation. We can't bear to look at this beautiful little girl and know she's suffering extreme pain. Thank you