Easing Funeral Costs for Micaiah's Family

Over the past year or so Gabe and Alli (brother-in-law & sister) noticed a steady regression in their oldest daughter's, Micaiah, physical ability and vision. She was prescribed glasses the other week, but she did not improve as much as anticipated. Tuesday morning, 10/22, Gabe, took her to the children's ER in Louisville on the recommendation of her PCP after explaining his concerns. At 6 years old, after a day full of testing they determined she had a tumor near her pituitary gland and optic nerve that was putting pressure on her brain. She was scheduled for surgery the next morning. Surgery was estimated to be about 6 hours but only ended up being roughly 4 hours. The surgeon was happy with how it went and what he was able to get but said she would need to have routine scans and probably need more surgeries later on.

Caiah had a fever and a few seizures that night. In the morning (10/24) she gave us all a big scare with her oxygen levels dropping and her heart beat hard to find, the that staff started CPR. The got her back after about a minute of interventions. Doctor said her CT looked fine but they put her 1 on 1 with a nurse to be constantly monitored and intubated her to take the stress of breathing off her body. They thought the seizure was due to her sodium being so high. It was 230 which was the highest any of them had seen. Around 2 she was having a big seizure that lasted roughly 30 minutes. They were able to change her seizure medicine to something stronger because she had the breathing tube. The medicine seemed to be working as it should and her sodium was decreasing, though at a quicker pace than they were going for.

On the morning of 10/25 they found pressure build up on her brain stem so they took her back to surgery to put a drain in. CT was ordered to be sure the placement was good, which it was, but complications from the surgery were seen as well. She had really bad brain swelling. Due to all different complications, electrolyte imbalances, sodium dropping too quickly, hormone dysregulation, and brain manipulation from surgery. By that evening the drain they put in was not having much output anymore. Doctors began to think parts off her brain were staying to die. By the end of the night all of Caiah's reflexes we're unresponsive. Her brain was failing but the rest of her body was strong. During the night both Gabe and Alli had dreams that were both beautiful yet heartbreaking. Alli saw Micaiah holding Jesus' hand. She held out her hand and asked Cai if she'd like to come hold hers instead. Caiah was rarely content being with anyone else when her beloved parents were around but she let out an emphatic "no!" Gabe saw Micaiah sitting at the feet of Jesus getting her much loved 1 on 1 face time. They were looking down and He was explaining to her everything that was going on.

10/26 they began the process of testing for brain death. A clinical test, a radiological test and then the same clinical test. These happened throughout the day with family all around Gabe and Alli and Caiah. Praying before each test for a miracle of full restoration and praising God throughout with singing even when the results weren't what anyone wanted.

The end of Saturday, Caiah was officially declaired to be dancing with Jesus. Probably introducing him to Froggie Fresh and her other eclectic song choices.

Through this whole week Gabe and Alli have shown unbelievable faith in God's ability to perform a full restitution miracle yet submission to His will if it was to keep Caiah. Amid their grief they've praised Him and thought of others. Little Bean is going to save some lives this week. The process of finding recipients for her strong organs had begun. This can take up to 72 hours. During this period, Gabe and Alli and the extended family get to hold and hug our love's earthly body a little longer.

If you are able, please help us take the stress of funeral costs off of them so they can fully focus on their little hero.