Cecelia Zech's Noggin
Donation protected
Cecelia Marie's story is best summarized as one of resilience. From the time she came into existence up to this point, she has done nothing but fight.
At 5 weeks of pregnancy, doctors said she wasn't viable.
At 28 weeks of pregnancy, doctors said she'd have to be emergency delivered. She made it to 37 weeks.
Ten days after her birthday of December 7th, she stopped breathing for about a minute, but recovered.
The next day (December 18th), she developed a fever and bacterial meningitis in her blood and spinal fluid. Seventy-two hours later, after the start of antibiotics, she was fever-free and bacteria had stopped growing.
On December 23rd, an MRI revealed fluid in her brain, along with inflammation, resolving hemorrhages, and indications that she had a small stroke in the womb around 28-32 weeks of pregnancy.
Cece's follow-up MRI on January 25th showed some positive signs. However, it also showed increased fluid in the brain.
At this point, Cece will need immediate surgery (her second) to remove excess fluid in her brain. Of her seven weeks outside the womb, four of them have been spent in the hospital, and more are coming.
While we appreciate having top-notch healthcare professionals monitoring her during such a critical time in her life, that also means additional challenges for Katie and me. With the attention Cece requires, only one of us can work at a time. And while we are fortunate to have the insurance we have, multiple hospital stays, numerous consults, scans, and two surgeries do not come without their price.
We understand this is a big number, and we do not expect anyone to participate. We think nothing less of anyone who is unable to help. In fact, the greatest help you can provide is to say a prayer for Cece. If you're not sure where to start, "Lord, be with Cecelia" is a great place to begin. If you do wish to participate in any fashion at all, we thank you very much. Every little bit is a huge help.
Cece is a bulldog by nature, and will continue to fight. As Jimmy V says, "Don't give up. Don't ever give up."
At 5 weeks of pregnancy, doctors said she wasn't viable.
At 28 weeks of pregnancy, doctors said she'd have to be emergency delivered. She made it to 37 weeks.
Ten days after her birthday of December 7th, she stopped breathing for about a minute, but recovered.
The next day (December 18th), she developed a fever and bacterial meningitis in her blood and spinal fluid. Seventy-two hours later, after the start of antibiotics, she was fever-free and bacteria had stopped growing.
On December 23rd, an MRI revealed fluid in her brain, along with inflammation, resolving hemorrhages, and indications that she had a small stroke in the womb around 28-32 weeks of pregnancy.
Cece's follow-up MRI on January 25th showed some positive signs. However, it also showed increased fluid in the brain.
At this point, Cece will need immediate surgery (her second) to remove excess fluid in her brain. Of her seven weeks outside the womb, four of them have been spent in the hospital, and more are coming.
While we appreciate having top-notch healthcare professionals monitoring her during such a critical time in her life, that also means additional challenges for Katie and me. With the attention Cece requires, only one of us can work at a time. And while we are fortunate to have the insurance we have, multiple hospital stays, numerous consults, scans, and two surgeries do not come without their price.
We understand this is a big number, and we do not expect anyone to participate. We think nothing less of anyone who is unable to help. In fact, the greatest help you can provide is to say a prayer for Cece. If you're not sure where to start, "Lord, be with Cecelia" is a great place to begin. If you do wish to participate in any fashion at all, we thank you very much. Every little bit is a huge help.
Cece is a bulldog by nature, and will continue to fight. As Jimmy V says, "Don't give up. Don't ever give up."
Organizer
Ryan Zech
Organizer
Independence, MO
