Charlie's Medical Recovery Fund

Hello...I am little Miss Charlie's Great-Great Auntie Patti.
I am starting this fund because Charlie has had more medical issues than any little human at her age should ever have to go through and her fight isn't over.

Shortly after her birth, Charlie was diagnosed with Turner Syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects only females. 99% of fetuses with Turner Syndrome spontaneously abort in the first trimester, so little Charlie is a miracle baby. This syndrome can cause numerous medical issues, including cardiac conditions. Charlie was born with one of these conditions, coarctation of the aorta, and also with one non-functioning lung, and a more recent diagnosis of “failure to thrive”. This last condition is the one of immediate concern.

At five months, Charlie was admitted to CHEO because she was not able to drink enough formula to gain sufficient weight to be healthy. Because of this, she had to have an NG feeding tube inserted in her nose and down her throat to help support her bottle feed. Unfortunately, the tube caused Charlie to have full bottle aversion and she became afraid to swallow. Because of this, she was readmitted to CHEO for reassessment. It was determined that she would need to have a G-tube implanted into her stomach for supplemental feeding with the hope that she will accept the bottle again. She was placed on a waiting list and, thankfully, this surgery was done yesterday, and it went extremely well. It is too soon to know if she will accept a bottle yet.

Unfortunately, with all these medical issues comes increased expenses. Not just incidentals such as gas to and from the hospital and parking from the frequent hospital visits, but major expenses such as feeding pump required to pump the formula through the G-tube into Charlie’s stomach, which alone costs over $1000. There are also other monthly medical supplies required, such as the replacement tubing and the supplies to maintain a sterile environment around the surgical site. I’m sure there are many other expenses that I am not aware of.

Charlie has been through so much in her first six months of life, and she has proven to be a fighter. So have her parents, Krystal and Mark. I’m so proud of how they are coping with all these medical issues. It certainly cannot be easy for them and this is not something you want to see happen to first time parents. To their credit, Charlie is a happy, bright little girl. Friends and family have asked how they can help. I know Krystal and Mark would never ask themselves for financial help. With this fund, I am hoping we can give them the help they need, so they don’t have to struggle over finances, and they can focus all their time on their baby girl’s health issues. Any donation, big or small would be greatly appreciated. I’m aware of how COVID 19 has affected peoples’ finances and I would never want anyone who is struggling to feel they need to contribute. Well wishes, positive vibes and words of support are always welcome.