Kellie Frazer is one of my absolute best friends. I typically call her Kellie Cat or sometimes even Kitten. Some of our friends call her Kel Dog, which I'm pretty sure causes her a spirit animal identity crisis. Through the 10+ years that I've known Kellie; we have been classmates, teammates, roommates, and truly soulmates (sorry Ben).

Kellie is the kindest, caring, and most thoughtful person I have ever met in my life. She has watched and supported all of our friends' marriages, pregnancies, and children through the years; and now it's her turn to be showered with love. My Kellie Cat is pregnant and just found out her son Brooks has spina bifida. She's about to be a first time mom and needs all of us other momma's out there to come together and help her out. 

I love you Kellie Cat. We've got you. 

This GoFundMe was created as support for baby Brooks and the Frazer Family! I would love to share her story and try to get them as much help as possible!

Here is a message from her:

Hey there family, friends, friends of friends, and anyone who is joining in on our family’s journey for the first time. Here’s the short version of what’s been going on: I’m 20 weeks pregnant and we just found out our son has been diagnosed with Spina bifida. Our lives have changed overnight- we need as many prayers, as much guidance, and financial support if possible.

Here’s the longer version for those willing to read any farther:

I’m Kellie- I grew up in So-Cal with my parents Greg and Liz and my older brother Kyle. Sports have always played a huge role in my life- I played college soccer in San Diego at Point Loma Nazarene! Now I work night shifts as an Ortho/Neuro RN.

My wonderful husband Ben and I got married in June of 2014. Ben’s parents, Cheryl and Steve, live in Washington and his two brothers Jesse and Andrew live in CA. Ben works as a millwright and is incredibly handy- he even built a bed for us!

On August 7th, 2018 my dad, Greg, lost his short battle to pancreatic cancer. We were all heartbroken, in shock, and praying to God for guidance.

Ben and I decided it was time for a scenery change- so we up and moved to Bend, Oregon! We love to get outside, go on hikes, go fishing, float in the river, and snow shoe. It has turned out to be the perfect place for us and our two giant fur babies, Tatonka and Denali, to grow and heal as a family.

On April 21st (my parents anniversary) we found out that we were pregnant! The news filled our hearts with love, excitement, and all of the common uncertainties that come along with finding out that you are going to become parents for the first time.

When I was 12 weeks along we found out that we were going to be blessed with a little boy come December! To be honest, my first thought was pure relief because I have no idea how to braid!! Ben could not stop talking about all of the things he wants to do with and teach his son about. After some time we finally decided on a name- Brooks Jacob Frazer.

As if 2020 hasn’t already been the most stressful year ever- Ben lost both of his last living grandparents AND on August 7th, exactly 2 years after my dad passed, our sweet baby Brooks was diagnosed with Spina Bifida.

This past week has been the most difficult week of mine and Ben's lives. We have spent countless hours researching, scheduling appointments, meeting neurosurgeons, getting an amniocentesis, doing additional ultrasounds, bloodwork, etc.

In the quieter moments- we have also spent time mourning the life that we thought our little guy was going to have and accepting the new (yet still amazing) life he will now have with Spina Bifida. The placement of his defect is around L4 and means that it is possible he will walk, but of course, he will face other difficulties that we cannot perfectly predict until he is born and even thereafter could be ever changing.

We are moving ahead at this time with fetal surgery. In September a surgeon at the Children’s Hospital in San Francisco will be operating on us- through my uterus- on Brooks’ spine and brain. Then we will do our best to keep him cooking inside me until 37 weeks (but they often come sooner). I will have a c-section either here in Bend (at the hospital I work at) or in Portland.

For any parent, hearing that their child will have an uphill battle from day one is devastating. Brooks will need surgery the first week of his life to drain fluid from his brain that will remain in place his whole life, as well as need a closure to the exposed nerves in his spine.

Ultimately- we chose grace and acceptance. We love him so much and know that he is going to be a huge blessing to our family and to everyone he meets. Our entire world changed with one ultrasound. We are trying to stay as positive as we can and see where this new adventure leads us.

God is good. He knew Brooks and gave him to Ben and I specifically- knowing we would walk this path as gracefully as possible with His guidance and our village and army of support. If it's within your means and you would like to support us, we are in need of constant prayers and financial assistance.

Some friends of mine have already set up a GoFundMe account for Baby Brooks and they will be coordinating a meal train for after my surgery while I am on a required 15 weeks of bed rest. I am planning on documenting our journey along the way- so stay tuned for updates as I’m sure there’s much more to come!

Love you all,

Kellie