Help Isabella's Family Stay Strong

Update from ray,

P.I.M.P. Down and here's my story

P.ositive / P.rofessional

I.nspirational/ I.ndividual

M.otivated / M.oving

P.erson / P.eople

Calling on any Friends, Family, and Work Family

This last year has really taken a toll on my life in many ways . I'd like to take a minute to tell you more about my life then anyone should know . It has come to me accepting that I have to reach out for help. Anyone who knows me knows this isn't me to do something like this. but as I come to the realization if I don't I will collapse. So here it goes .

It all started a year ago when my house was engulfed with flames it was tragic as I lost everything.

Had a bad accident at work damn near killing me that I still am struggling to recover from head injury

Then to get hit with 2 back to back hurricanes

And now this my Baby girl Isabella almost lifeless in my arms 3 weeks ago . I was crushed as it was truly a miracle that she was saved . Thank you to John Hopkins Hospital rushing my daughter in to surgery after finding out she was born 8lbs full term but with under developed intestines called Duodenal Atresia and Malrotation. This going unnoticed for the first 13 days of life . She lost 3 lbs . We took her to Doctors appt. On a Friday they said well bring her back Tuesday the following week and if she's worse we the doctors will admit her to hospital. We went 2 days being Sunday Jade and I took Isabella to the Sarasota hospital ourselves as worried parents . After hours of tests and finding out her tests and blood results were completely insane looking they couldn't find out what was wrong. With her heart rate dropping more and more . The Sarasota Memorial Hospital reached out to John Hopkins over an hour away . John Hopkins was filled in on what was going on and said we are sending a medical team to get Isabella and for Sarasota to stop all tests and let her rest till they arrived . After arriving with 4 or more John Hopkins staff they rushed her back to John Hopkins as her heart rate was still dropping. When we arrived she was greeted by over 20 hospital staff and they were Doctors , Nurses, and Specialists within 2 hours they found her problems and was able to stabilize her for 24 hours till surgery was done . They said had we waited one more hour that Sunday night she wouldn't be with us today . Knowing how close to death she was they did 2 MRI's on her brain to see if she had any damage and came back with very Lil worry . Isabella showed immediate improvement after surgery and had to go 10 days without eating only relying on the miracle fluids they put thru her Pic line. 3 days ago they were able to remove her tube from her mouth as she was getting better. Yesterday and today she has been able to drink her mom's milk that she has been storing up in hospital freezers the last 10 days . Adding to the supply day after day . Isabella is doing great and has about a month here at the hospital togo . With every thing that's happened in the last yearvi have hit rock bottom . And its sad I have to admit this . But instead of losing hope I'm as strong as I always have been keeping a smile and doing my Dailey routine to stay afloat . I'm asking if anyone has just 1.00 or knows a friend that has an extra 1.00 to please help . I've listed in pictures the proof of how far this past year has got me behind on everything . Anyone who knows me knows I will help anyone in need . I never say no it's cause I have a heart and treat everyone equal . I've helped many from friends to coworkers and just total strangers. If I see a need to help that's what I do . I'm now having to ask for help and so here are my bills the proof I can't pay them alone . I've inclosed my paychecks stubs and just came off a week suspension at work for not doing my job properly by taking a unauthorized lunch break . Please share my story as I only need 1.00 from anyone who can spare it . My life story is true and heartbreaking . I've asked my job for help but got nowhere . Thank you everyone and a huge thank you to our wonderful team here at John Hopkins. They have made it to where I feel my baby girl is in good hands so I can work full time and sleep at the hospital so I can be around 2 things I love most my job and my family.

Update: Day 1 Thank you . To everyone understanding how hard this is on me . I will update Dailey as I'm very thankful. I will post receipts to where the monies went below .

Phone bill paid by

Cash App Acct.

Mel Manrow 45.

Drake C. 10.

Kaylee P. 100.

Shirley F. 20.

Sunshine Customer Tip 150.

Thank you as I wont have to worry. The Doctors and Jade will be able to give me timely updates while working long hours .

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Car Insurance Due 4/18

Go Fund Me Acct.

Debi 100.

Amber 50.

Michelle 100.

Balance 79.

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Partial Car Payment

Rays payroll check 1000. Paid towards total due

Balance 700.

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Gift Cards

John Hopkins Staff 400. Fuel for round trips Dailey to and from work

Baez Driver @ Davi&Valenti. 100. Food Card .

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House payment

Balance 4010.

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Big thank you to all that have shared my story

Thank you everyone as this is major help to me . I will update nightly and please share my post Dailey to show my appreciation.

My sweet niece Isabella is at Johns Hopkins Hospital. In addition to having a hole in her heart, Isabella has gone through emergency surgery for duodenal atresia and malrotation (intestinal issues) at just 13 days old. Doctors said if they had been one hour later, she would not have made it. She has already been there over a week and has at least a month left in the hospital with treatments. Mom and Dad are really struggling to be there and do all they can for their baby girl. Mama Jade was given a paid leave of absence to stay with her baby. Ray unfortunately had to return to work. The hospital gave them another room on the 1st floor with a bed and shower so they can stay close to their baby girl. Ray leaves at 5:30 am to go work all day, then right back to the hospital to be with Mama and baby. He is driving over an hour each way, and between gas and tolls, then add food, it is stacking up. Bills are now a bit behind, but they can't not be with her. Any help, even a dollar, is appreciated or just sharing their story. My heart goes out to them and any other families facing this situation.

I am attaching a message I received from Ray below.

Ray's message

"Hey sis, I just want to thank you for offering to pay one of my bills for me this month, but you don't have to. It is extremely hard on us right now. As I have returned to work after spending 9 days in NICU with baby Isabella. Jade has 6 weeks off from work so she can be with the baby. Her job at Davi & Valenti has been there for us, giving her full paid time off. They even made her a nursery in her office so when baby girl gets out of NICU, she can have some mommy time till Jade feels comfortable with other arrangements. It was very scary almost losing her. Her surgery went very well and we are just waiting another 3 weeks till she can maybe go home. I go to work each morning to try and keep bills afloat. I didn't save a rainy day fund, so it is most definitely hard. It's over an hour drive to and from work on top of tolls both ways and trying to feed me and Jade while being at the hospital. Never did I think it would cost as much as it has to see our daughter's smiling face after work each day. $20 for fuel, $30 for food, and $10 in tolls each day is adding up. I'm a grown man and I cry almost every day when I get home, take a shower, and head up to the hospital as every day I'm getting closer to broke. Jade and I have been sharing meals to try and cut costs. But it's sad to feel like I can't provide more. It's stressful to think of what I will run out of first. The fuel to see Isabella, food to keep me and Jade energized to make it day to day. As the money is almost gone, I've thought this is it, I may have to hold the sign on the corner, but I'm about to. I've helped a lot of people in life, friends, coworkers, and even strangers. I've always tried to be there. As embarrassing as it is, I might ask my circle of friends and coworkers if they can help with just $1.00 a day. Cause believe it or not, anything helps. I have $150 still in the bank, so I know we can make it a few more days. But I'm behind in everything. My phone may be off, but you can reach me on Facebook. I love you sis, and you know I always hold it together. I will figure it out as us Wilbur's always do. I appreciate everything that has been done for us so far with Jade's job and the NICU nurses finding every way possible to make sure we are taken care of. We have a room in the hospital on the 1st floor with a bed and shower so I can rest before I leave to work. Baby girl is on the 6th floor, so I'm not that far away when I'm sleeping. Isabella is doing amazing with her recovery, and we hope to be home by mid-May. I love you sis and appreciate everyone checking in on us."

We wish we could do more. If you can share this or donate even just a dollar, we would greatly appreciate anything you can do to help ease their burden so they can focus on baby Isabella.