Anthony's Fearless Fight

On May 16, 2019, at just 27 weeks pregnant,  Heather went into unexpected labor and was admitted to Crozer Hospital. The baby's heart rate dropped dangerously low and  an emergency c-section was performed. Anthony James Wychick was born at 9:01 am, weighing just 2 lbs 1.5 oz and measuring 14.5 inches long.  He was born unresponsive and had to be resuscitated immediately. Mom and dad were not allowed to see Anthony until almost 12 hours after his birth as the doctors worked on him tirelessly and he fought to stay alive . The days, weeks, and months that followed were a roller coaster of emotions filled with extreme highs and lows.  Within his first few days of life, Anthony suffered from a severe infection throughout his entire body, a lung that collapsed three separate times causing the doctors to place a tube in chest to aid in breathing, a bilateral Grade 4 brain bleed, 4 blood transfusions, 2 platelet transfusions, a plasma transfusion, low blood pressure, a heart murmur, a spinal tap to rule out Meningitis, he was on 100% oxygen, and went through daily x-rays and ultrasounds to monitor the damage on his frail body.  Within a few days of his birth, doctors had a family meeting with Anthony’s parents and grandparents to discuss the severity of Anthony’s situation.  The family was informed that if the next head ultrasound showed that the brain bleed progressed any further, that they would have to make a decision on whether they wanted to withdraw care on Anthony.  They were told that the quality of life Anthony would have could not be guaranteed at that point.  As each day passed, however, Anthony proved what a fighter he truly was.  He amazed doctors, nurses, and his family as he continued to get stronger.  Against all odds, the tiny baby that doctors didn’t think was going to survive the night, due to the severe infection, continued to get stronger with each day that passed.  Over the course of the next few weeks, Anthony’s condition stabilized, but he proved that he was not out of the woods just yet.  He developed seizures brought on by the bleeding in his brain.  Anthony was placed on two different seizure medications that were able to bring the seizures under control.  He also needed 2 additional blood transfusions and another platelet transfusion because his red and white blood cell counts were extremely low and starting to affect his breathing.  Anthony was also being monitored by an Ophthalmologist because he developed Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), an eye disease that causes abnormal blood vessels to grow in the retina, and if left untreated, can lead to blindness.  After 91 days in the NICU at Crozer Hospital, Anthony was transferred to DuPont Children’s Hospital because it was determined that his eye disease had progressed to the later stages and he needed emergency laser surgery on his eyes to prevent retinal detachment.  At just 3 ½ months old, and weighing less than 7 pounds, baby Anthony was sedated as the Ophthalmologist performed eye surgery to save the eye sight in both of his eyes.  After 124 days total in the NICU, Anthony was finally discharged to go home on September 17, 2019.  He still struggles with his feedings and was sent home on a feeding tube, but he continues to grow and thrive each and every day.  Now almost 5 months old, and weighing over 10 pounds, Anthony is finally at home where he belongs.  He will continue to follow-up with his cardiologist who will monitor his heart murmur with a chest ultrasound, his neurologist who monitors both the bleeding on his brain with MRI’s and his seizures with an EEG, his ophthalmologist who monitors his vision, a nutritionist who makes sure he continues to grow and thrive, and a feeding specialist who will continue to work with him on the skills needed to master the bottle feeding so he can have the feeding tube removed.  Anthony will also receive physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy in his home through a program called Early Intervention.  The extent of the permanent damage left behind from the severe brain bleed will not be known for years to come but Anthony has an amazing support system at home that will make sure he has all of the resources available to him to lead the most successful life possible.  We know Anthony will further surprise everyone around him with his amazing progress as he continues to grow and thrive in the years to come.

Please consider donating to support Anthony's ongoing care!

Tickets for Anthony's fundraiser can be purchased through a donation on here, Venmo (Richelle-lafage), or cash/check! If your donation is a ticket purchase, PLEASE provide the first and last name of the guests attending the event!

Beef and Beer info:
Where:
Brookside Community Building
900 Marrows Road
Newark, DE 19713

When:
November 22, 2019
5:30-10:00pm

Food, music, fun, raffles, and cash bar!