Donation protected
The Fairfax family has been through a lot in the last year - a scary and uncomfortable pregnancy, the birth of two beautiful daughters, and a life lived in hospitals more than their new home.
The family is currently living and working out of the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota while Audrey recovers from brain surgery and doctors try to determine the cause of her persistent cough.
As friends and family, we can help them out.
Help Support Audrey and Madeline
Shortly after birth, they found out that Audrey had a brain bleed. It’s hard to know what that means for her future. Luckily, she and Madeline have an amazing set of parents who will support them, advocate for them, and help them flourish, no matter what challenges they face.
For months, people have reached out to the Fairfax family asking how they can help. Most of us have likely been thanked for the support and prayers and been told that they “don’t need anything.”
However, there are current and future medical bills, travel expenses, and food (they’re eating out for every meal while at Mayo). There’s also the potential for lost wages - Brandon and Kate are continuing to work as they’re able, but it’s difficult to work when one of your babies is sick and the other still needs you too.
Please consider donating to support the Fairfax family during this uncertain time. Alternatively, if gift cards are more your thing, please contact Kyle Seidl through this site and he can arrange a drop-off or send you an address.
- - -
The Fairfax Family - the Last Five Months
Audrey Grace and Madeline Therese Fairfax were born on November 13, 2017, at 31 weeks (30+6). Brandon and Kate’s life hasn’t been the same since.
Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome
Audrey and Maddie are mono-di twins, identical twins that shared a placenta but had their own amniotic sacs. Mono-di twins are more likely to have “Twin to Twin Transfusion Synrome (TTS)” - one twin ends up getting most of the nutrients. This is obviously dangerous for the twin missing out on the nutrients.
At 26 weeks, Kate and Brandon found out their baby girls had TTS - the fluids between them weren’t equal- Baby A had a lot and Baby B didn’t have enough. At 29 weeks, Kate endured a large needle inserted to her stomach to have fluid drained from Baby A so Baby B could have room to make more fluid. The procedure was a success, but they moved the planned C section from 36 weeks to 32 weeks and in the end, they moved it to 30 weeks - the potential risks weren’t worth the wait.
Audrey, Baby B, was born first, and less than one minute later, Madeline, Baby A, joined her.
NICU = New Home
Because of their early arrival date, they were whisked away to the NICU. Brandon, Kate, the Fairfax, and the Paulline families were in love. Friends couldn’t wait to meet the newest additions and were in awe of what Brandon, and especially Kate, had endured to bring these beautiful girls into the world.
The NICU was a rollercoaster ride - high highs and low lows. Soon after birth, doctors discovered that Audrey had suffered a brain bleed. It was a scary few days, but luckily, an ultrasound later showed that her brain was stable and there was no additional bleeding. The right side even showed signs of improvement. A brain bleed and its implications can mean so many things, and it’s hard to know what the future will hold for Audrey.
Day 44 in the NICU was especially bittersweet: Madeline was able to go home but Audrey had to stay. It meant that the new family of four wasn’t together as often as they should be, and Mom and Dad were understandably stretched thin between home, hospital, and work.
In January, doctors were puzzled over Audrey’s cough - babies aren’t supposed to cough. For awhile, they thought it was a side effect of reflux, which is common in preemie babies. She had a procedure to help with the reflux, and they hoped it would alleviate her cough and the accompanying discomfort.
After 99 days, 12 brilliant doctors, over 20 amazing nurses, 60+ x-rays, 10ish ultrasounds, 6 trips to radiology, seemingly endless pokes and tears, and 1 surgery later, Audrey was discharged from the hospital and able to join Maddie at home.
Appointments, Appointments, and More Appointments
Taking your baby home from the hospital is one of the happiest, scariest moments of being a new parent. Multiply that by two, and then add special feeding tubes, oxygen, little to no sleep, and nonstop appointments, and you have a glimpse into Kate and Brandon’s lives.
NICU alumni require extra pediatric appointments for weight and development checks. On top of those, Audrey also has the pulmonologist, neurologist, GI, surgeon, PT, and orthopedics.
They also added audiologist appointments. Before Audrey left the NICU, she failed her hearing test and likely has severe hearing loss in both ears. They disovered she has severe-profound hearing loss in both ears. It's likely an auditory neuropathy, which means her ears are fine, but she doesn't know what to do with sound information. Hearing aids likely won't help but a cochlear implant might. Audrey and Madelin's SLP mom is already signing them and they have a community of people behind them who are excited to learn.
Mystery Cough - Back to the Hospital
After almost a month of being home, both girls were a little fussier than usual. After a trip to the doctor, it become apparent that Audrey was showing signs of pneumonia and was admitted to Mercy pediatrics.
They had originally hoped to be out of the hospital after Audrey felt better, but two weeks later they were still there. The cough that had stumped the NICU team also continued to stump the Peds team. The procedure Audrey had before she left the NICU did not end up helping her cough, and it persisted.
Audrey’s coughing spells make her heart rate climb and can last for hours. While at Mercy, they tried seemingly everything to get to the cause:
-Different oxygen treatment...but it just made her uncomfortable
-Cough suppressant and sedation...it helped, but it’s not a long-term treatment plan
-G-tube study...she is not refluxing around her fundo, so that’s not the cough cause
-Chest CT, gastric emptying test, echo, bronchoscopy...all of these looked normal
Through it all, Audrey had her
sidekick, Maddie keeping her company.
In early April, Mercy transferred Audrey to the Mayo Clinic. She is receiving the best possible care and doctors have already found some things that others had missed. Unfortunately, this meant brain surgery in mid-April - which, as usual - she came through like a champ.
As of today, they are still at Mayo with no answers for her cough and no timeline for when they are able to return home.
To stay up to date on their journey, visit https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/madelineaudreyfairfax
The family is currently living and working out of the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota while Audrey recovers from brain surgery and doctors try to determine the cause of her persistent cough.
As friends and family, we can help them out.
Help Support Audrey and Madeline
Shortly after birth, they found out that Audrey had a brain bleed. It’s hard to know what that means for her future. Luckily, she and Madeline have an amazing set of parents who will support them, advocate for them, and help them flourish, no matter what challenges they face.
For months, people have reached out to the Fairfax family asking how they can help. Most of us have likely been thanked for the support and prayers and been told that they “don’t need anything.”
However, there are current and future medical bills, travel expenses, and food (they’re eating out for every meal while at Mayo). There’s also the potential for lost wages - Brandon and Kate are continuing to work as they’re able, but it’s difficult to work when one of your babies is sick and the other still needs you too.
Please consider donating to support the Fairfax family during this uncertain time. Alternatively, if gift cards are more your thing, please contact Kyle Seidl through this site and he can arrange a drop-off or send you an address.
- - -
The Fairfax Family - the Last Five Months
Audrey Grace and Madeline Therese Fairfax were born on November 13, 2017, at 31 weeks (30+6). Brandon and Kate’s life hasn’t been the same since.
Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome
Audrey and Maddie are mono-di twins, identical twins that shared a placenta but had their own amniotic sacs. Mono-di twins are more likely to have “Twin to Twin Transfusion Synrome (TTS)” - one twin ends up getting most of the nutrients. This is obviously dangerous for the twin missing out on the nutrients.
At 26 weeks, Kate and Brandon found out their baby girls had TTS - the fluids between them weren’t equal- Baby A had a lot and Baby B didn’t have enough. At 29 weeks, Kate endured a large needle inserted to her stomach to have fluid drained from Baby A so Baby B could have room to make more fluid. The procedure was a success, but they moved the planned C section from 36 weeks to 32 weeks and in the end, they moved it to 30 weeks - the potential risks weren’t worth the wait.
Audrey, Baby B, was born first, and less than one minute later, Madeline, Baby A, joined her.
NICU = New Home
Because of their early arrival date, they were whisked away to the NICU. Brandon, Kate, the Fairfax, and the Paulline families were in love. Friends couldn’t wait to meet the newest additions and were in awe of what Brandon, and especially Kate, had endured to bring these beautiful girls into the world.
The NICU was a rollercoaster ride - high highs and low lows. Soon after birth, doctors discovered that Audrey had suffered a brain bleed. It was a scary few days, but luckily, an ultrasound later showed that her brain was stable and there was no additional bleeding. The right side even showed signs of improvement. A brain bleed and its implications can mean so many things, and it’s hard to know what the future will hold for Audrey.
Day 44 in the NICU was especially bittersweet: Madeline was able to go home but Audrey had to stay. It meant that the new family of four wasn’t together as often as they should be, and Mom and Dad were understandably stretched thin between home, hospital, and work.
In January, doctors were puzzled over Audrey’s cough - babies aren’t supposed to cough. For awhile, they thought it was a side effect of reflux, which is common in preemie babies. She had a procedure to help with the reflux, and they hoped it would alleviate her cough and the accompanying discomfort.
After 99 days, 12 brilliant doctors, over 20 amazing nurses, 60+ x-rays, 10ish ultrasounds, 6 trips to radiology, seemingly endless pokes and tears, and 1 surgery later, Audrey was discharged from the hospital and able to join Maddie at home.
Appointments, Appointments, and More Appointments
Taking your baby home from the hospital is one of the happiest, scariest moments of being a new parent. Multiply that by two, and then add special feeding tubes, oxygen, little to no sleep, and nonstop appointments, and you have a glimpse into Kate and Brandon’s lives.
NICU alumni require extra pediatric appointments for weight and development checks. On top of those, Audrey also has the pulmonologist, neurologist, GI, surgeon, PT, and orthopedics.
They also added audiologist appointments. Before Audrey left the NICU, she failed her hearing test and likely has severe hearing loss in both ears. They disovered she has severe-profound hearing loss in both ears. It's likely an auditory neuropathy, which means her ears are fine, but she doesn't know what to do with sound information. Hearing aids likely won't help but a cochlear implant might. Audrey and Madelin's SLP mom is already signing them and they have a community of people behind them who are excited to learn.
Mystery Cough - Back to the Hospital
After almost a month of being home, both girls were a little fussier than usual. After a trip to the doctor, it become apparent that Audrey was showing signs of pneumonia and was admitted to Mercy pediatrics.
They had originally hoped to be out of the hospital after Audrey felt better, but two weeks later they were still there. The cough that had stumped the NICU team also continued to stump the Peds team. The procedure Audrey had before she left the NICU did not end up helping her cough, and it persisted.
Audrey’s coughing spells make her heart rate climb and can last for hours. While at Mercy, they tried seemingly everything to get to the cause:
-Different oxygen treatment...but it just made her uncomfortable
-Cough suppressant and sedation...it helped, but it’s not a long-term treatment plan
-G-tube study...she is not refluxing around her fundo, so that’s not the cough cause
-Chest CT, gastric emptying test, echo, bronchoscopy...all of these looked normal
Through it all, Audrey had her
sidekick, Maddie keeping her company.
In early April, Mercy transferred Audrey to the Mayo Clinic. She is receiving the best possible care and doctors have already found some things that others had missed. Unfortunately, this meant brain surgery in mid-April - which, as usual - she came through like a champ.
As of today, they are still at Mayo with no answers for her cough and no timeline for when they are able to return home.
To stay up to date on their journey, visit https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/madelineaudreyfairfax
Organizer
Kyle Seidl
Organizer
Des Moines, IA