VACTERL baby needs help with medical expenses

Hi everyone .. I’m Brooke aka Bridger’s mom. I’ve got to first admit that writing this and figuring out what to say is very humbling to say the least. When you first find out you’re pregnant you never think you’ll be here, asking strangers for financial help; but once you become a parent to a living, breathing human being — you do whatever you can to make sure their needs are met and hopefully even exceeded.

Our little monster man Bridger Case was born with a handful of physical anomalies. Since his quick and early arrival into the world, his 60 day stay at Seattle Children’s, frequent doctors / specialists appointments, and the continued hospital stays at the time of each surgery we have had to adapt and become a one income household.

We feel very blessed for his dad’s job, the company he works for, the fact that we only live 45 minutes north of the children’s hospital and that we are able to get Bridger the care he needs…

However, even with all the blessings there are still many burdens and we are feeling the weight of them all. Life expenses; bills, travel to and from the hospital, medical supplies and grocery expenses during these frequent hospital stays add up quickly. Feels especially suffocating to have to worry about things like bills and gas when you’re true focus every day is to just get your son what he needs and make sure he’s happy, healthy, growing and comfortable along the way.

I had no clue how to choose an amount to ask for so how I came up with the $10,000.00 was by adding up what all of our housing expenses, important bills, and fuel costs would total throughout the time it takes to complete his surgical plan. Each surgery will be accompanied by a hospital stay ranging from 1-2 weeks long where I (mom) will stay at the hospital with him and his dad will drive to and from our home up north after his work days when he is able to do so.

We are not asking for or expecting anything specific to come from this, we appreciate whatever you can do. Even if all you’re able to do is share this with others — that truly helps us too so thank you. 

Anomalies — 

1) hole in heart (congenital heart disease)

2) no physical anus opening (imperforate anus; his colon attached to urethra)

3) two extra ribs 

4) spine longer than usual and tethered (tethered cord; spina bifida)

5) pancreas wrapped around duodenum (congenital malformation of digestive system)

^ These anomalies give Bridger a VACTERL association which has made him part of a life long genetic study to understand how and why babies are born with these physical attributes. VACTERL association is a disorder that affects many body systems. VACTERL stands for vertebral defects, anal atresia, cardiac defects, tracheo-esophageal fistula, renal anomalies, and limb abnormalities. People diagnosed with VACTERL association typically have at least three of these characteristic features.

Surgeries —

1) January 24, 2021: create ostomy on abdomen to release waste

2) February 24, 2021: address + fix anamoly of pancreas // duodenum 

3) September 24, 2021: create anus opening; remove colon from urethra; close colostomy; create ileostomy 

4) January 10, 2022: release tethered chord

5) March 11, 2022: ileostomy closure; anal stricture