Eli’s Medical Care and Related Expenses

Eli has been a fighter since he was born 4 months premature on Christmas Day in 2014 and beat all the odds (7% chance of survival) going on to be a normal, happy, healthy child. On his 7th birthday, this past Christmas Day, he fell ill. After two Emergency Room visits in three days, the doctors discovered he had a serious left kidney infection. He was admitted to the hospital for treatment with antibiotics, fever management, and pain management (he was in excruciating pain). Within 24 hours of being in the hospital, the infection spread through his blood stream and to other organs, specifically attacking his lungs. His lungs collapsed and he was then put on full life support. He is making slow and steady improvements, but we have a long road ahead of us. His dad and I will be with him around the clock, loosing pay, and spending a fortune in gas money (we both live about an hour away). Since there is no room for us to sleep or shower here, we are driving back and forth daily. We also are driving back and forth to spend time with Eli’s twin sister, Eva, who needs us too as she is very scared and confused. And she has special needs. Once we are released from the hospital (5-7 weeks minimum is what we’ve been told), Eli will have to see numerous specialists for full diagnostic testing and a long term treatment plan for the kidney. It turned out that in the process of all of this. The doctors discovered the kidney has significant damage likely cause by all the medications he was on in the NICU for the first five months following his premature birth. All of this to say that we have a very long road ahead and a lot of unknowns and associated costs with being able to properly care for our son. If you are able and so inclined, we would sincerely appreciate any and all donations, as well as words of support and encouragement. Our support team carried us through the twins’ premature birth and nearly six months in the NICU. We are again reaching out for help. With love and gratitude, Eli’s mom and dad.