Emma Jay Shelton

My daughter Stephanie was enjoying being pregnant with her first little girl when, at just under 24 weeks pregnant, her water broke. After a trip to the hospital, Stephanie was flown by a life-flight helicopter out of town 2 hours away from home. Over the next six weeks the precious little baby girl was able to stay in her mom’s belly. Then the situation became critical when Stephanie got a bad blood infection and had to have an emergency C-section. Emma Jay weighed only 3lbs 5oz and her lungs were not developed enough to breathe on her own when she was delivered. Stephanie is still fighting a blood infection and little Emma Jay is in NICU on oxygen and using a feeding tube because she has not developed enough to feed on her own. The doctors say so much can go wrong with preemies. She will remain in the NICU for at least 2 months. Once she is strong enough and able to breathe and eat on her own she can go home with her family. Stephanie has been discharged from the hospital and is currently staying in an RV near the hospital. She can only use the RV for 2 weeks and their time is running out. Stephanie is starting to worry and does not know what will happen after that time. The whole family is working on a safe place close to hospital for her to stay. Stephanie and Emma’s dad Jason live in Chico, CA which is 2 hours away from the hospital. Stephanie needs to be close to the hospital to provide fresh milk for Emma Jay to drink. The skin to skin contact and the bonding time that a baby needs is so very important during the first months of birth, which is why mom needs to be close by. Emma Jay has two older brothers that are starting school and they are asking when baby sister can come home. Both parents are worried how to get school clothes, supplies, and gas to drive them to and from school. Right now, Jason is driving back and forth working full time in Chico and driving down to the hospital on the weekends to see his sweet little daughter and his caring, loving wife. The family is having trouble trying to make ends meet. The weekend trips are being cut short and are causing sadness and stress. The thought of leaving their baby girl in the hospital is devastating. Stephanie is still recovering from emergency surgery and she is not able to go back to work for some time and cannot drive for six weeks. She will have to take cabs to and from hospital when Jason is not there which is going to cost a lot. Jason is sad stressed and worried about not being there to help care for mom and baby as much as he wants to be. If you can help this family in this time of crisis they would greatly appreciate whatever you can do to help.  They could also use gift cards and gas cards. Most important are your thoughts and prayers for baby Emma Jay and a strong start to her long life, and for Stephanie on a fast recovery. They are lifelong residents of Chico, California. Thank you for taking the time reading their story. We pray for the positive things to happen.