Help J.R. and his Family Beat The Odds
Donation protected
INTRO
The day you bring a child into the world should be one of the most treasured memories in your lifetime. For our friend Nathan and his wife Shelley, this was the scariest moment ever. Their baby was born premature at 27 weeks, after having survived in the womb for 10 weeks without amniotic fluid. Their new baby boy has a big challenging road ahead and it has only just begun.
BACKSTORY
J.R. Phoenix was born at 650 grams on May 31st, diagnosed with severe Chronic Lung Disease. Since then, he has lived on a ventilator, suffering from numerous lung collapses, countless chest tubes (to release the air trapped in his little body), and has been on pain killers like Morphine and Midazolam and steroids like Dexamethasone. His parents (Nathan and Shelley) and big sister (Shai) have been by his side ever since he took his first breath.
He also had some strong heart challenges (Atrial Ectopic Tachycardia), which became evident when his heart rate began skyrocketing at 300 bpm and higher. He was quickly transferred to Sick Kids, put on meds, and ultimately underwent a procedure to close the PDA valve in his heart, which after several failed attempts, refused to close on its own. This device used to close the valve will be a part of his anatomy for the rest of his life.
Doctors have also prepared them to expect significant brain development challenges – possibly cerebral palsy, there is already evidence of cerebral atrophy which has the medical team highly concerned.
J.R. has had over a dozen blood transfusions, multiple infections, pneumonia, and a scrotum hernia. This is all before he was 10 weeks old. Shelley finally held him for the first time at 4 weeks old. She keeps expressing breast milk to feed him (through a feeding tube), until he is finally ready to try breast feeding, which they don’t know when that will be…
Sadly, this is just the beginning. When J.R. finally gets to go home, he will have a difficult life – filled with respiratory, cardiology, neurology and vision complications. Only time will tell what these unfold to become. Best case scenario, he beats all the odds and is a healthy, rambunctious, adventurous little boy.
J.R.’S PARENTS
We’ve known Nathan since high school – best friends, more like family. We’ve grown up together really. We’ve been there for each other during all the major moments in our lives. Nathan’s love of sports, wrestling and music can keep him talking for hours!! The only thing he loves more than these things is his family. He’s always been so supportive of Shelley, and decided to stay home to raise their daughter when Shelley wanted to return to work after mat leave. He raises his daughter to challenge the world and follow her dreams. He teaches her confidence, equality and to always try her best.
Shelley and Nathan were friends for 12 years before they had their first date!! We always knew they should be together, they were perfect for each other. Shelley is a great mom. She is the epitome of “Mama Bear”. She puts her family first. When Nathan was feeling burned out, and lost direction in his career, she decided to go back to work so he could stay home with their daughter. It was a big change as she had not returned to work after her daughter was born due to high costs of daycare. And Nathan had always worked, sometimes multiple jobs. Shelley fought hard to give J.R. a fighting chance after her water broke at 17 weeks, even when many doctors told her to terminate the high risk pregnancy.
Nathan and Shelley do their very best to provide the safest most loving home for their daughter Shai, and for J.R. when he finally gets to come home. Until then, they have been living at the Ronald McDonald House. This is a wonderful charity supporting parents during their most stressful times, helping to keep families together so they can support one another and be there for each other.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Through many visits and conversations, its clear that Nathan and his family are under a great deal of stress. Many factors are contributing, primarily the fight J.R. is going through but also trying to job hunt, splitting their time between hospital visits (separation), trying to eat and get sleep when they can (minimal self care), and paying their bills during this prolonged hospital stay. They have exhausted all resources (savings, withdrawn all rrsps, borrowed from family and creditors) and now they don’t know how they will make ends meet.
By helping his family, they can focus on providing emotional support, especially during those difficult conversations on prognosis, current state, discussions on set backs, or responding to life or death situations. We want to put all our efforts into helping his family as much as we possibly can so they can be together without worry.
All funds received will be going towards their cost of living (mortgage, home bills, insurance, prescriptions, diapers for their daughter, and paying for their stay at the Ronald McDonald House) and financial obligations while J.R. continues to fight for his life. Doctors say they should expect to be there until at least Christmas. Even after he is discharged, he will have many appointments to track his health and development. He will require constant monitoring and will likely go home on an oxygen tank and heart monitor. Any additional funds will support them during the transition time when J.R. is finally cleared to go home.
This cause means a lot to us because Nathan and Shelley are family to us. They are struggling with so much right now, and this is one way we can help them. Through all of this surmountable hardship, they continue to job hunt, sell items online, and penny pinch wherever possible…all while smiling through their tears. They believe in the power of God and prayers and know that He has great things in store for J.R.
Please find it in your hearts to help us help our brother and his family out.
Every dollar counts and every share is appreciated.
Donate what you can and know that Nathan and Shelley will be grateful for the help and support you show.
Thank you in advance .
The day you bring a child into the world should be one of the most treasured memories in your lifetime. For our friend Nathan and his wife Shelley, this was the scariest moment ever. Their baby was born premature at 27 weeks, after having survived in the womb for 10 weeks without amniotic fluid. Their new baby boy has a big challenging road ahead and it has only just begun.
BACKSTORY
J.R. Phoenix was born at 650 grams on May 31st, diagnosed with severe Chronic Lung Disease. Since then, he has lived on a ventilator, suffering from numerous lung collapses, countless chest tubes (to release the air trapped in his little body), and has been on pain killers like Morphine and Midazolam and steroids like Dexamethasone. His parents (Nathan and Shelley) and big sister (Shai) have been by his side ever since he took his first breath.
He also had some strong heart challenges (Atrial Ectopic Tachycardia), which became evident when his heart rate began skyrocketing at 300 bpm and higher. He was quickly transferred to Sick Kids, put on meds, and ultimately underwent a procedure to close the PDA valve in his heart, which after several failed attempts, refused to close on its own. This device used to close the valve will be a part of his anatomy for the rest of his life.
Doctors have also prepared them to expect significant brain development challenges – possibly cerebral palsy, there is already evidence of cerebral atrophy which has the medical team highly concerned.
J.R. has had over a dozen blood transfusions, multiple infections, pneumonia, and a scrotum hernia. This is all before he was 10 weeks old. Shelley finally held him for the first time at 4 weeks old. She keeps expressing breast milk to feed him (through a feeding tube), until he is finally ready to try breast feeding, which they don’t know when that will be…
Sadly, this is just the beginning. When J.R. finally gets to go home, he will have a difficult life – filled with respiratory, cardiology, neurology and vision complications. Only time will tell what these unfold to become. Best case scenario, he beats all the odds and is a healthy, rambunctious, adventurous little boy.
J.R.’S PARENTS
We’ve known Nathan since high school – best friends, more like family. We’ve grown up together really. We’ve been there for each other during all the major moments in our lives. Nathan’s love of sports, wrestling and music can keep him talking for hours!! The only thing he loves more than these things is his family. He’s always been so supportive of Shelley, and decided to stay home to raise their daughter when Shelley wanted to return to work after mat leave. He raises his daughter to challenge the world and follow her dreams. He teaches her confidence, equality and to always try her best.
Shelley and Nathan were friends for 12 years before they had their first date!! We always knew they should be together, they were perfect for each other. Shelley is a great mom. She is the epitome of “Mama Bear”. She puts her family first. When Nathan was feeling burned out, and lost direction in his career, she decided to go back to work so he could stay home with their daughter. It was a big change as she had not returned to work after her daughter was born due to high costs of daycare. And Nathan had always worked, sometimes multiple jobs. Shelley fought hard to give J.R. a fighting chance after her water broke at 17 weeks, even when many doctors told her to terminate the high risk pregnancy.
Nathan and Shelley do their very best to provide the safest most loving home for their daughter Shai, and for J.R. when he finally gets to come home. Until then, they have been living at the Ronald McDonald House. This is a wonderful charity supporting parents during their most stressful times, helping to keep families together so they can support one another and be there for each other.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Through many visits and conversations, its clear that Nathan and his family are under a great deal of stress. Many factors are contributing, primarily the fight J.R. is going through but also trying to job hunt, splitting their time between hospital visits (separation), trying to eat and get sleep when they can (minimal self care), and paying their bills during this prolonged hospital stay. They have exhausted all resources (savings, withdrawn all rrsps, borrowed from family and creditors) and now they don’t know how they will make ends meet.
By helping his family, they can focus on providing emotional support, especially during those difficult conversations on prognosis, current state, discussions on set backs, or responding to life or death situations. We want to put all our efforts into helping his family as much as we possibly can so they can be together without worry.
All funds received will be going towards their cost of living (mortgage, home bills, insurance, prescriptions, diapers for their daughter, and paying for their stay at the Ronald McDonald House) and financial obligations while J.R. continues to fight for his life. Doctors say they should expect to be there until at least Christmas. Even after he is discharged, he will have many appointments to track his health and development. He will require constant monitoring and will likely go home on an oxygen tank and heart monitor. Any additional funds will support them during the transition time when J.R. is finally cleared to go home.
This cause means a lot to us because Nathan and Shelley are family to us. They are struggling with so much right now, and this is one way we can help them. Through all of this surmountable hardship, they continue to job hunt, sell items online, and penny pinch wherever possible…all while smiling through their tears. They believe in the power of God and prayers and know that He has great things in store for J.R.
Please find it in your hearts to help us help our brother and his family out.
Every dollar counts and every share is appreciated.
Donate what you can and know that Nathan and Shelley will be grateful for the help and support you show.
Thank you in advance .
Co-organizers (2)
Chris Jardine
Organizer
Brampton, ON
Nathan Budhu
Beneficiary
Shelley Budhu
Co-organizer