Help Support the Switz Family
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As many of you know, the Switz Twins are due in May, and the family is ecstatic to meet them! Unfortunately, about halfway through Jess' pregnancy, she learned of complications to the Switz baby girl. The baby girl was diagnosed with severe RCDH (Right-sided Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia). RCDH is a rare condition when the diaphragm fails to form or to close totally and an opening allows abdominal organs into the chest cavity. This inhibits lung growth and often times affects the heart growth.
At 32 weeks, Jessica had to relocate to be near CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia). That is where baby girl will have the most promising future, because they specialize in this condition, and she will need immediate care and surgery after she's born. Being within minutes of CHOP will give baby girl the best fighting chance, so Jess has been staying at a hotel near the hospital.
Luckily, Jess' mother, Nancy, was able to take time off work and go stay with Jess in the hotel by the hospital when she first went down. Jess has been advised by her doctor to be within minutes of the hospital, not drive, maintain moderate bed rest, and to not be alone. Unfortunately, Jess' husband, Dave, was not able to go down with her initially because he had to continue working to pay their everyday bills, along with new expenses they recently took on.
After only four days in Philadelphia, Jess and Nancy received the most horrific news they could get after all they were already enduring, and it would instantly change their lives forever.
Nancy's son, Jessica's brother, Jonathan Jarvis, had died suddenly from heart complications shortly after recovering from his fourth open heart surgery. Their lives were instantly torn apart and flipped inside out, and Nancy was no longer able to stay with Jess, nor would she be of much assistance to Jess in the case of an emergency at this point anyway. So Jess' husband, Dave, had to pick up and leave to stay with Jess and ensure her and the twins were as safe as possible.
Nancy prepared to leave to be with her husband Greg, and face the nightmare that had just become their reality. Due to doctors orders, Jess was still unable to leave the area, and still had to have someone with her at all times to drive her to the hospital in case of emergency. Dave stayed with Jess to drive her to and from appointments and to be emotional support, but unfortunately, all time away from work, is time with no income or financial stability for Jess, Dave, or they're twins.
Unfortunately, once the twins are born, the battle is not over. Baby girl will undergo surgery and her recovery will be at least 3 to 6 months. This will all be time spent away from home and work. Because neither of them will have an income during this time, I'm asking anyone that is able to help, to please pray, share and/or donate.
Any amount big or small will help cover their medical expenses, household bills, mortgage, hotel costs, and every day expenses. Again no amount is too small, and if you're unable to donate, please share and say a prayer for the Switz twins and their families.
WHAT IS CDH?
The fact is, roughly 50% of babies born with CDH do not survive. Of the 50% that do survive, most will endure long hospital stays, feeding issues, asthma and other problems. A few of the survivors suffer from severe long-term medical issues. CDH occurs as frequently as spina bifida and cystic fibrosis, yet there is very little research being done and virtually no media coverage.
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) occurs in approximately 1 in every 2,500 births (1,600 cases in the US each year). The cause of CDH is not yet known. The diaphragm is formed in the first trimester of pregnancy and controls the lungs ability to inhale and exhale. CDH occurs when the diaphragm fails to form or to close totally and an opening allows abdominal organs into the chest cavity. This inhibits lung growth and often times affects the heart growth.
When the abdominal organs are in the chest, there is limited room for the lungs to grow. This prevents the lungs from developing normally, resulting in pulmonary hypoplasia (or underdeveloped lungs). This can cause reduced blood flow to the lungs and pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the pulmonary circulation), as well as asthma, gastrointestinal reflux, feeding disorders and developmental delays.
CARE FOR THE BABY
At the time of delivery, the NICU and surgical team -- including neonatologists, Neonatal and surgical fellows, neonatal surgical nurses, and respiratory therapists (to name a few) Will all be waiting to stabilize and provide specialized ventilation assistance before bringing her to that NICU for further care.
At stabilization. A breathing tube is inserted into her airway so a ventilator can be attached to help with breathing. A tube going from the mouth or nose to the stomach will be placed to keep air from getting into the stomach and intestines causing less space for the lungs to expand. Intravenous and arterial lines will be placed into blood vessels in her arms, legs or belly button for administration of fluids and medications. Blood gases will be drawn from the arterial line to assess how well she is oxygenating.
Surgical repair of CDH depends on the baby's progress in the days following birth, and can occur as early as 24 to 72 hours after birth. It is typical to let the baby stabilize and become comfortable on the ventilator before surgery is attempted. An incision will be made just below the rib cage, the organs in the chest are guided back down into the abdomen and the hole in the diaphragm is sewn closed using existing muscle tissue, or a Goretex patch. The space created in the chest allows the lungs to continue to grow; her lungs will continue to grow and develop more air sacs or alveoli all the way through her early childhood.
At 32 weeks, Jessica had to relocate to be near CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia). That is where baby girl will have the most promising future, because they specialize in this condition, and she will need immediate care and surgery after she's born. Being within minutes of CHOP will give baby girl the best fighting chance, so Jess has been staying at a hotel near the hospital.
Luckily, Jess' mother, Nancy, was able to take time off work and go stay with Jess in the hotel by the hospital when she first went down. Jess has been advised by her doctor to be within minutes of the hospital, not drive, maintain moderate bed rest, and to not be alone. Unfortunately, Jess' husband, Dave, was not able to go down with her initially because he had to continue working to pay their everyday bills, along with new expenses they recently took on.
After only four days in Philadelphia, Jess and Nancy received the most horrific news they could get after all they were already enduring, and it would instantly change their lives forever.
Nancy's son, Jessica's brother, Jonathan Jarvis, had died suddenly from heart complications shortly after recovering from his fourth open heart surgery. Their lives were instantly torn apart and flipped inside out, and Nancy was no longer able to stay with Jess, nor would she be of much assistance to Jess in the case of an emergency at this point anyway. So Jess' husband, Dave, had to pick up and leave to stay with Jess and ensure her and the twins were as safe as possible.
Nancy prepared to leave to be with her husband Greg, and face the nightmare that had just become their reality. Due to doctors orders, Jess was still unable to leave the area, and still had to have someone with her at all times to drive her to the hospital in case of emergency. Dave stayed with Jess to drive her to and from appointments and to be emotional support, but unfortunately, all time away from work, is time with no income or financial stability for Jess, Dave, or they're twins.
Unfortunately, once the twins are born, the battle is not over. Baby girl will undergo surgery and her recovery will be at least 3 to 6 months. This will all be time spent away from home and work. Because neither of them will have an income during this time, I'm asking anyone that is able to help, to please pray, share and/or donate.
Any amount big or small will help cover their medical expenses, household bills, mortgage, hotel costs, and every day expenses. Again no amount is too small, and if you're unable to donate, please share and say a prayer for the Switz twins and their families.
WHAT IS CDH?
The fact is, roughly 50% of babies born with CDH do not survive. Of the 50% that do survive, most will endure long hospital stays, feeding issues, asthma and other problems. A few of the survivors suffer from severe long-term medical issues. CDH occurs as frequently as spina bifida and cystic fibrosis, yet there is very little research being done and virtually no media coverage.
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) occurs in approximately 1 in every 2,500 births (1,600 cases in the US each year). The cause of CDH is not yet known. The diaphragm is formed in the first trimester of pregnancy and controls the lungs ability to inhale and exhale. CDH occurs when the diaphragm fails to form or to close totally and an opening allows abdominal organs into the chest cavity. This inhibits lung growth and often times affects the heart growth.
When the abdominal organs are in the chest, there is limited room for the lungs to grow. This prevents the lungs from developing normally, resulting in pulmonary hypoplasia (or underdeveloped lungs). This can cause reduced blood flow to the lungs and pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the pulmonary circulation), as well as asthma, gastrointestinal reflux, feeding disorders and developmental delays.
CARE FOR THE BABY
At the time of delivery, the NICU and surgical team -- including neonatologists, Neonatal and surgical fellows, neonatal surgical nurses, and respiratory therapists (to name a few) Will all be waiting to stabilize and provide specialized ventilation assistance before bringing her to that NICU for further care.
At stabilization. A breathing tube is inserted into her airway so a ventilator can be attached to help with breathing. A tube going from the mouth or nose to the stomach will be placed to keep air from getting into the stomach and intestines causing less space for the lungs to expand. Intravenous and arterial lines will be placed into blood vessels in her arms, legs or belly button for administration of fluids and medications. Blood gases will be drawn from the arterial line to assess how well she is oxygenating.
Surgical repair of CDH depends on the baby's progress in the days following birth, and can occur as early as 24 to 72 hours after birth. It is typical to let the baby stabilize and become comfortable on the ventilator before surgery is attempted. An incision will be made just below the rib cage, the organs in the chest are guided back down into the abdomen and the hole in the diaphragm is sewn closed using existing muscle tissue, or a Goretex patch. The space created in the chest allows the lungs to continue to grow; her lungs will continue to grow and develop more air sacs or alveoli all the way through her early childhood.
Organizer and beneficiary
Tiffany Connelly
Organizer
Vernon, NJ
Jessica Switz
Beneficiary