Baby Muhonen's Medical Battle

Update 05-26-23:

HE'S HERE! Two days before Allison's scheduled C-Section, her water broke! The procedure was moved up, and Simon Joseph Muhonen was born at 2:28 pm on May 23rd! Upon delivery, Simon let out a few cries to announce his arrival. The name Simon means "to be heard," and so it was fitting that he show his strength with a little battle cry. He was ready to be here, and Allison and Dave are overjoyed. The NICU team brought Simon over to a stabilization room to begin preparation and observation. Simon was able to take a few breaths on his own but ultimately needed CPAP support. The team put in Simon's IV lines and monitored him over the next two hours. Then, the decision was made to move forward with surgery. Dr. Lillegard and Dr. Fisher were happy to report to the family that the surgery went well. They were very pleased with how Simon was recovering and informed Allison and Dave that the day was not only "good," but "perfect." The early interventions and protocols put in place were keys to the day's success. Simon is currently recovering in the NICU with a projected stay of 4 weeks or less. The CPAM was very large, and ALL traces were removed! It was taking up the majority of Simon's chest cavity-starting where the lower left lung lobe tissue should be. The good news is the remaining lung volume is looking great and will continue to generate as he grows, too! Simon's journey isn't over yet, but it is looking great! Thank you, once again, to all of you for your donations and your care and love for this family.

Allison and Dave Muhonen were thrilled to find out they were expecting on September 27, 2022, after a nearly four-year infertility journey. On Thanksgiving weekend, they shared the news with the baby's big brother, Archer. Then, on February 24, during a 25-week ultrasound, doctors discovered a Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation (CPAM), or a fluid-filled cyst, found formed to the baby's lower left lung. The cyst was pushing the heart into the right side of his little body. Cysts are given a CVR score to determine size. The size of baby Muhonen's cyst was a 3. The Muhonens were told that any CPAM over 1.6 requires immediate intervention. Allison was administered a dose of steroids that day and the next to hopefully slow the growth of the cyst. At the recheck ultrasound on March 3rd, the following Friday, the CVR score had increased to 3.9, and the cyst continued compressing the baby's organs. A build-up of fluid was seen in baby M's abdomen, indicating that hydrops, a potentially fatal condition in which large amounts of fluid build up in a baby's tissues and organs, causing extensive swelling, was present.

An immediate referral was made to Midwest Fetal Care Center in Minneapolis. Two additional doses of steroids were administered. On Monday, March 6th, Allison and the baby were assessed by the amazing staff at the Midwest Fetal Care Center. Baby M's CVR score was now at a 5. Doctors agreed that the placement of a shunt into the baby's cyst was necessary. Dave and Allison were told that without this procedure, the baby would not survive. The procedure was performed on the morning of March 7th. Doctors were able to insert a shunt through Allison's abdomen and into baby M's cyst. Immediately, the shunt allowed fluid to be expelled, and his heart shifted back toward the correct position. While this procedure was considered a success, additional surgeries will be necessary following the baby's birth. The doctors recommended that Allison stay in the Minneapolis area until delivery. Weekly or semiweekly appointments will monitor baby M's progress and allow doctors to develop a timeline and plan for surgery following delivery. Baby M's condition closer to the time of delivery will determine if he requires an EXIT surgery procedure: a special technique in which the baby is delivered through an incision in the uterus and a functioning airway is established before separation from the placenta.

Until the 25-week scan, baby M's anatomy appeared typical and healthy. The diagnosis of CPAM was very unexpected. David and Allison will be temporarily renting housing in Minneapolis for the remainder of the pregnancy. Family will care for Archer back in Grafton, so he can attend school and activities and retain some normalcy. They hope to have Archer in Minneapolis most weekends to visit.

Allison and Dave, both teachers, have given so much to the Grafton community. This is a time to give back to them and provide the monetary assistance they need to cover the increasing medical costs, as well as to provide housing for an indefinite amount of time. Though the length of their stay is unknown, your donation will allow them some peace of mind that baby M can receive the best care possible in his fight.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY AND KINDNESS.