Axl's hospital journey

Axl Christopher Porter was born 30 days premature with complications in Fayetteville TN. He was born with a condition called Esophageal Atresia, a birth defect where the esophagus is not attached to the stomach.  Just moments after birth, he was transferred to Vanderbilt in Nashville, TN … 1-1/2 hours from our home.  Within a few days of birth, they performed surgery to repair it.  After 3 weeks in the NICU, we were preparing to go home, when it appeared there was something wrong with his liver.   However, the symptoms improved and were attributed to the TPN (liquid diet he was on before surgery).  We were home approximately 10 days when Axl became very ill and had to be rushed back to the hospital.  A liver biopsy revealed a condition called Biliary Atresia, a condition where the bile ducts are blocked or malformed and do not drain properly.  Left untreated, irreversible liver damage occurs.  Therefore, Axl requires another surgery to allow the bile ducts to drain to his intestines.  He was allowed to return home until the surgery is scheduled, hopefully some time this week. Needless to say, life has changed dramatically in our household.  My husband, Tom, has to continue working to support our family.  Our 5 year old daughter, Kiera, was shipped off to grandparents for a couple weeks.  Since coming home, she sometimes does not see me for days if I am at the hospital.  It has become almost impossible to juggle everything … commuting 90 mins each way between home and the hospital, needing to be with Axl at the same time that I need to be with Kiera at home, keeping up with Kiera’s school schedule and Tom’s work schedule.    Financial assistance would make a big difference for our family at this time.  In addition to the obvious medical needs, donations will be utilized to cover gas, lodging when necessary, food, and care for Kiera.  We have requested a room at the Ronald McDonald house, but there is not an opening at this time.  In addition to financial support, we covet your prayers during this time and in the days to come. Thank you and God Bless you all, Lauren