Kayla, Chris & Baby Camden Woolley
Donation protected
Kayla, Chris and their newborn preemie Camden (delivered 2/16/17 at 27 weeks) need our support now. Please take a moment to read their story below and consider helping this young, sweet, loving family during this very stressful time. Every little bit helps!
Kayla had a very difficult pregnancy from day one. Hyperemesis has kept her very ill for the duration of her entire pregnancy, making her unable to work and barely able to function some days. She fought through the months of constant nausea and vomiting bravely and quietly, often times being brushed off by doctors about her symptoms.
By week 26 gestation, Kayla knew that something was not right. Her body began telling her that things were wrong beyond her usual hyperemesis. Finally, last week, she was able to get the right doctors to listen to her. Kayla had developed pre-eclampsia which is a life threating illness that very rarely develops this early in pregnancy. She was critical care transferred to Duke University due to the severity of her case.
Unfortunately, the only "cure" for pre-eclampsia is the delivery of the baby. With medications and bed rest, doctors tried really hard to keep Kayla pregnant for as long as possible but her body had other plans. Her pre-eclampsia had taken a turn for the worse and evolved into HELLP syndrome. With her blood pressures approaching seizure and stroke levels and her platelets bottoming out, it was medically necessary to deliver Camden yesterday via and emergency c-section to save both Cam and Kayla's lives.
Camden was born a mere 2 pounds but he’s a little fighter just like his mama. He is doing well, considering his prematurity, and is breathing with the help of a c-pap mask. We are very hopeful that he is going to be just fine but he has a long journey ahead of his at the Duke NICU.
Kayla's condition is still serious, unfortunately. She is taking longer to bounce back than the doctors had predicted. Her bloodwork is showing that her liver is struggling and that she could potentially need a platelet transfusion. Tough we are very hopeful and optimistic that she will also be just fine it is unclear how long she will be an inpatient at Duke as things stand now.
We haven't known Kayla and Chris very long but they have very quickly found very special places in our hearts. The stark similarities in our journeys have compelled Jason and I to make them part of our family and we hope you will too. They are a sweet, loving couple that are trying their very best to make the best possible life for baby Camden and they have found themselves in a very difficult situation. The gofundme that family, friends, and strangers built for Jason, Jenna, and I last year when I delivered at 26 weeks helped the ending to our story be a very happy, positive one. It quite literally saved our lives. We want that very same outcome for Kayla, Chris, and Camden.
NICU life is exceptionally expensive and between the gas, parking, and food away from home, you can easily spend upwards of $40 a day just to be able to see your baby. They will likely be going back and forth daily from Raleigh to Durham until May. Additionally, since Kayla had to deliver so early they have not had a baby shower yet and they still need everything. Kayla could potentially need expensive medications when she is discharged. I could go on and on about the financial challenges that they will likely face in the coming months from personal experience. Please consider taking a little of the burden by contributing to this fund. Every little bit helps. Kayla, Chris, and Camden will appreciate your love and support more than you could ever know.
Kayla had a very difficult pregnancy from day one. Hyperemesis has kept her very ill for the duration of her entire pregnancy, making her unable to work and barely able to function some days. She fought through the months of constant nausea and vomiting bravely and quietly, often times being brushed off by doctors about her symptoms.
By week 26 gestation, Kayla knew that something was not right. Her body began telling her that things were wrong beyond her usual hyperemesis. Finally, last week, she was able to get the right doctors to listen to her. Kayla had developed pre-eclampsia which is a life threating illness that very rarely develops this early in pregnancy. She was critical care transferred to Duke University due to the severity of her case.
Unfortunately, the only "cure" for pre-eclampsia is the delivery of the baby. With medications and bed rest, doctors tried really hard to keep Kayla pregnant for as long as possible but her body had other plans. Her pre-eclampsia had taken a turn for the worse and evolved into HELLP syndrome. With her blood pressures approaching seizure and stroke levels and her platelets bottoming out, it was medically necessary to deliver Camden yesterday via and emergency c-section to save both Cam and Kayla's lives.
Camden was born a mere 2 pounds but he’s a little fighter just like his mama. He is doing well, considering his prematurity, and is breathing with the help of a c-pap mask. We are very hopeful that he is going to be just fine but he has a long journey ahead of his at the Duke NICU.
Kayla's condition is still serious, unfortunately. She is taking longer to bounce back than the doctors had predicted. Her bloodwork is showing that her liver is struggling and that she could potentially need a platelet transfusion. Tough we are very hopeful and optimistic that she will also be just fine it is unclear how long she will be an inpatient at Duke as things stand now.
We haven't known Kayla and Chris very long but they have very quickly found very special places in our hearts. The stark similarities in our journeys have compelled Jason and I to make them part of our family and we hope you will too. They are a sweet, loving couple that are trying their very best to make the best possible life for baby Camden and they have found themselves in a very difficult situation. The gofundme that family, friends, and strangers built for Jason, Jenna, and I last year when I delivered at 26 weeks helped the ending to our story be a very happy, positive one. It quite literally saved our lives. We want that very same outcome for Kayla, Chris, and Camden.
NICU life is exceptionally expensive and between the gas, parking, and food away from home, you can easily spend upwards of $40 a day just to be able to see your baby. They will likely be going back and forth daily from Raleigh to Durham until May. Additionally, since Kayla had to deliver so early they have not had a baby shower yet and they still need everything. Kayla could potentially need expensive medications when she is discharged. I could go on and on about the financial challenges that they will likely face in the coming months from personal experience. Please consider taking a little of the burden by contributing to this fund. Every little bit helps. Kayla, Chris, and Camden will appreciate your love and support more than you could ever know.
Organizer and beneficiary
Jamie Leigh Howard
Organizer
Raleigh, NC
Heather Joy Ali
Beneficiary