Help heal baby Adalyn's heart ❤

Hi, my name is Kristen and I am starting this fundraiser for my niece, Adalyn Nicole. Adalyn was diagnosed in utero with transposition of the great arteries, or TGA, which is a heart defect that occurs when the two main blood vessels leaving the heart are in abnormal positions. TGA is a life-threatening congenital condition, meaning it is present at birth, and babies with TGA need surgery. My sister, Ashley, and Bj have prepared well for this. However, they have experienced some ups and downs recently that have changed some of those preparations.

The arterial switch was supposed to be just days after Adalyn was born until the surgeon got sick right before his 3-week vacation. They informed Adalyn's parents that they could wait for her surgeon or help them transfer her somewhere else. She was stable, so they took their advice and waited for her surgeon. Surgery was then set for her at 4wks old (Aug 16).

Over a week ago her PDA (an opening in her heart that was helping her oxygen) was almost closed and she started having trouble breathing. They intubated her on 8/1. They checked for all the infections they could and did not find anything nor could they explain why her respiratory status was declining. So we were left with no answers.

They started prostaglandin, a medication to try to open the PDA more. She was doing slightly better and they were able to wean the vent. They attempted to extubate her on 8/9 but she had increased work of breathing. An x-ray showed partial right lung collapse, so they laid her on her side for a couple of hours, which appeared to help. Then her color was looking worse as well as her labs. A new x-ray showed a full collapse of her left lung.

They reintubated her.. but her lungs were not improving. So, ENT did a bronchoscopy and pulled out the mucous plugs in her lung, which seemed to help. They also did an atrial septostomy (a procedure where they open up the PDA that had closed). Both things seemed to help her o2 sats. However, now she has a respiratory infection.. human parainfluenza 4 virus.

Now that she has this respiratory infection, surgery is going to be postponed again. This means Ashley and Bj will be out of work longer and will receive a lot more medical bills. They are over an hour from home and Ashley's son Mason starts school next week. It's going to be a struggle for them to commute and live in two places at once. Between gas prices and medical bills already coming in, I want to do what we can to help relieve some of that stress for them.

Anything you can help with will be greatly appreciated. Even if it's $1 or just sharing this. Please and thank you so very much!!