BabyEllie - #Elliestrong

Hello, I am Ellie and I'm 4 months old. My Mommy is Hope Duell, my Daddy is Emmanuel Perez and I have 3 siblings.

On April 25th, 2023 I was airlifted to Saint Joseph's Children's Hospital after my Mommy found me unresponsive and not breathing in my crib. Although the medical team in the ambulance helped me breath again, I was still very distressed and not responding. When I arrived at the hospital the doctors were able to get me stable but only a few hours later I started having fast-like movements and it was determined that I was having seizures. The doctors put an EEG on my head to monitor my brain activity. They found that I was having clusters of extremely long seizures. My Mommy demanded for me to be transferred to the PICU because the medication they were giving me at the time was not making the seizures go away.

My time in the PICU lasted for many weeks because they put me in a phenobarbital induced coma to stop the seizures and to suppress my brain activity. The doctors at Saint Joseph's talked to my Mommy and told her that my condition is severe and I will never be able to do anything or have a normal life. My Mommy was given two choices: take me home or pull my oxygen.

My Mommy chose me and had me transferred to John's Hopkins All Children's Hospital in Tampa.

We have been here for 2 months now with a new diet and a new plan. I started making progress and my symptoms were starting to go away. I recently had another seizure that set me back even further. They did an MRI to check my brain and it shows that I have suffered a lot of brain damage, but the doctors are still baffled because I am still eating, opening my eyes, cooing, smiling, and even going to the bathroom. I am strong and will continue to fight.

My Mommy has not left my side since April 25th and I know she misses my siblings and my Daddy. They visit when they can but living 5 hours away is a tough trip for them to make all the time.

My Daddy is helping my Mommy by staying home and taking care of my 3 siblings. We have a strong support system but my Daddy cannot get a full time sitter so that he can work. Finances are tight and my parents are doing the best they can for me and my siblings.

With your donations it will help put my Mommy and Daddy's mind at ease so they can focus on helping me get better.

My goal is to make it home so we can be a family under one roof.

The contributions that you all provide will help make that happen.

Thank you, Lord, for the blessings you have bestowed on my life and thank you to everyone that helps us through this tough time