Brooks's NICU Fight!

On June 3rd, 2022, baby Brooks Matthew was welcomed into the world to the strongest parents, Brittany and Dylan Kwiatkowski. We like to think for Brooks that a lifetime of love just wasn’t enough, and he would prefer two bonus months. Therefore, he arrived early at 28 weeks and weighing only 1lb 14oz. However, as much love as his parents have to give, this was no easy pregnancy or delivery. From extreme nausea and vomiting to the stomach flu to COVID… you name it, Brittany took it on. A week prior to delivery, it was learned that Brooks was measuring small, and he was diagnosed with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), making Brittany a high-risk pregnancy. In addition, Brittany also began to be worked up for pre-eclampsia due to elevated blood pressures. The medical team decided it was best to give Brittany steroid shots to help Brooks in case he was delivered early. A week later, Brittany was experiencing sharp abdominal pain that brought her into the hospital, and she was diagnosed with severe and sudden HELLP syndrome. Meaning this life-threatening situation left the doctors no choice but to emergency c-section her under general anesthesia. Dylan was placed in the room next door, and Brooks was taken away straight to the NICU. Overall, making the delivery a very traumatic and emotional experience.

 

Currently, Brooks is stable in the NICU. However, he has a long journey ahead of him. The neonatology team will be making their plan of care day by day and week by week. Brooks is a fighter! He is currently in an isolette on respiratory support, receiving nutrition through a feeding tube, and being closely monitored. In addition, he has recently had a PICC line placed that will help make his care less invasive. Brittany and Dylan have not been able to hold him yet but have been able to help with different aspects of his care and are counting down the days to their first snuggle.

 

If you know Brittany and Dylan, you know that they are an AMAZING couple and will make the best parents (as already demonstrated). Brooks is expected to be in the NICU till at least late August. As all of this was so sudden and unexpected, the medical bills from Brittany’s complications and the extensive NICU stay for Brooks will be a considerable financial hardship for their family. In addition, the cost that comes with time off work to be with Brooks, the trips back and forth to the hospital, future medical expenses and therapies, and so on. Brittany and Dylan are the last people to ask of this and have been so grateful for everyone that has supported them up to this point. I ask that if you are reading this, please consider helping their new little family ease some of the stress so they can enjoy the little moments until baby Brooks is able to come home.

 

Every little bit counts. Thank you for your support and kind words! GO BABY BROOKS!