Baby Bradley

One of the hardest things to do in life is ask for help, and accept help. But, right now, Marion and Bryce Nielsen need all the help and prayers they can get. Marion gave birth to their baby boy, Bradley, at Holmes Regional, on October 15th. Bradley was born with the cord wrapped around his neck, twice. The lack of oxygen caused him to have severe brain damage. Bradley was airlifted from Holmes to Winnie Palmer, and he has been in the nicu there ever since.

He didn’t open his eyes until he was almost two months old. They believe he is blind and he lacks control of his eye movements. They think he may be deaf, or have hearing loss. He is unable to swallow even his own saliva. He is constantly being suctioned out so he doesn’t choke or aspirate. He recently had surgery to place a g tube.

Bradley was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and hie. Cerebral palsy is loss or impairment of motor function which is caused by brain damage. Hie is hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, which is a type of brain damage that occurs when an infants brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen and blood.

Marion and Bryce have traveled back and forth between Palm Bay and Orlando often, as they have a two year old daughter, Grace, at home to worry about as well. Marion was full time at Publix, but has since had to step down to part time to help care for Bradley.

Marion and Bryce were informed that Bradley would have a shortened life span. The doctors approximated he would live to be around three years old.

Bradley seemed to be doing okay, considering everything he had going on. The doctors had planned on having Bradley home by this past weekend. Marion went home to Palm Bay last Tuesday to prepare for Bradley’s arrival at home. She had to get his room ready, as they were not prepared for Bradley to be coming home on oxygen, a suction machine, and a g tube.

A day later, on Wednesday, Bradley took a turn for the worse. Marion received a phone call no parent ever wants to receive. The doctors called her and informed her Bradley turned blue and had to be given cpr twice. They were able to bring him back, thankfully, but he was not in good shape. He had to be on a cpap machine to help him breathe, and he has not been himself ever since.

The doctors called a family meeting with Marion and Bryce and they were told they don’t believe Bradley would survive another cpr. His poor little body has been through so much and his brain is shutting down. They gave him months to live, at most.

Marion and Bryce’s final wishes are for Bradley to be at home when he passes. They are praying for a miracle but they have made arrangements with hospice to bring him home tomorrow morning (1/10).

My heart is breaking for them and they desperately need our help. They are swimming in medical bills, and will most likely have to plan a funeral for their precious baby. I cannot even imagine what they are going through or the pain they are feeling. Please, please, please, donate to this family if you can! And, if you can’t donate, please share this to get their story out there, and pray for a miracle for sweet Bradley! Thank you so much!