On May 23rd, my nephew, Aris, and his partner, Brooke, welcomed their beautiful baby boy, Earth, at 34 weeks via an emergency C-section. Earth was born with a rare birth defect called Tracheoesophageal Fistula (TEF). TEF is a birth defect that creates an abnormal connection between the trachea (windpipe) and esophagus (food pipe). His breathing was limited, and if he were to eat prior to medical intervention, food would directly aspirate into his lungs.

Baby Earth had an immediate corrective surgery on day 3 of his life. Post-surgery, he seemed to be recovering well until it was discovered that once he began mouth feeds, milk continued to aspirate into his lungs.

There are many details to Earth’s story. To make the story short, there were cycles of it seeming like he was recovering and growing until another complication would hit, bringing new waves of physical challenges to his ability to eat.

After lots of advocating for their little guy and spending 2 1/2 months in the NICU, Earth was approved to be transferred to a specialized hospital on the opposite coast, about 4 hours from where Brooke and Aris live. Earth is finally receiving the care he always deserved and needed. He is on track to be discharged before the end of the month! 

I’m starting this Gofundme to support them after everything they’ve been through. Aris will not be working much when the baby comes home and this GoFundMe will help support them through the challenging time of, after 3+ long months, bringing their precious baby Earth home and learning to take care of him on their own. Learning to feed him through his G tube, and manage the complications of caring for a child with such a rare condition. 

We, Aris and Brooke’s families, are so excited for Earth to finally come home!

Thank you so much for your support!!