Lacey is a life-long friend of mine and is my 6-month-old’s daycare provider. If you know her, you know what a kind soul she is!

On 10/23, Lacey delivered her second child, baby boy Ryder. When bringing a new baby home, we all know how special those first few weeks and months are to bond and get to know them.

Lacey has a different story this time. Shortly after going home with baby Ryder, she wasn’t feeling quite right. Because of this, she had a few clinic appointments and stayed a couple of nights on and off back in the hospital. Grand Itasca transferred her to Essentia-Duluth where she’s been since Tuesday, 11/12. There, they diagnosed her with pulmonary hypertension with an unexplained cause. She’s been feeling symptoms of weakness, dizziness, and some blurred vision. This week, the doctors there made plans to have her transferred to the University of Minnesota. She has been on the waitlist for a bed to open there. One opened for her Friday, 11/16. As of today 11/17, they are working on securing transportation by ambulance; in the meantime, hoping the bed at the U stays secured for her. There they will have specialists in pulmonology and cardiology monitoring her, performing cardiac catheterization tests, and adjusting medications to best relieve the pressure on her heart.

We are hopeful they can come up with a plan quickly while ensuring the best outcomes so she can get back home to her boys and make up for this time away from Ryder.

As you can imagine, large medical bills are anticipated from her time in the hospitals, tests being run, and the ambulance ride to the U of M. Being a daycare provider, she has no income at this time.

Although she planned a maternity leave, the costs are adding up beyond anticipated for a normal hospital stay for newborn delivery. Her husband, Axl, isn’t working at this time as he is by her side.

Their gracious family — Lacey’s mom, Axl’s mom, and Axl’s sister have been taking turns taking care of Rhett (2) and Ryder (< 1 month).

All raised funds will go to Lacey & Axl to pay medical bills, groceries/food, and any other payments that need to be made. Thank you so much for your consideration. It’s so appreciated!