Monroe Skylar Dres

Monroe Dres was born, March 19, 2014, with a rare condition called type IV jejunoileal atresia, which is a condition that does not allow the small intestine to form properly in utero. This organ is responsible for virtually all of your nutrition absorption. In Monroe's case, she was missing 3/4th's of her small intestine after her initial surgery. Unfortunately, 1 1/2 months after her initial surgery Monroe became gravely ill. After an emergency operation they found that the remaining intestine that she had left had twisted, cutting off the blood supply. This phenomenon is called mid gut intestinal malrotation volvulus. She also got sepsis which is a potentially fatal whole-body inflammation. Two days later she had her third surgery where they removed the dead intestine and made a stoma, which is a surgically created opening in the large intestine that allows the removal of feces out of the body, bypassing the rectum, to drain into a pouch. She then waited 12 weeks as the surgeons were hoping her intestine would repair some of itself. Since her colon had not been in use during the twelve week recovery, 1/3 of her colon collapsed and had to be removed during her fourth surgery. The surgeons told us all her small intestine had died except 15cm. They placed a G-tube in her stomach to bring all her stomach acid out of her body because she can't pass that through her intestines. Even though it seemed all we were getting was bad news, we could see Monroe's fighting spirit. She is 100% dependent on total parenteral nutrition (TPN), which is a very dangerous form of nutrition given to you through an IV through the artery to the heart. While we are so thankful our baby girl is happy, the nutrients (TPN) that is keeping her alive is also causing her liver to fail. Once that happens completely, the next step is a liver and small intestine transplant. This is the most technically difficult organ transplant that exists. After almost 6 months at Lurie's Children's Hospital in Chicago, Monroe is finally coming home on September 10th. She will need constant help with her IV's, pumps, and G tube while at home awaiting a transplant. She'll need home nurses, physical therapy, and speech therapy as well. We love her so much and want the best for her, any donations help get monroe the help she so despretely deserves while she's home and medical bills she's already aquired during her stay at Luries. Thank you so much.