Help Support Whitney, Hayden, and Baby Jolene’s NICU Journey

Whitney’s water broke on January 29, 2025 and she was admitted to the hospital. She was able to hold baby in for over a week but on February 8, 2025 there were complications from an infection of the placenta and amniotic fluid. She delivered Jolene Kay via C-Section at 31 weeks. Whitney and baby Jolene were placed on antibiotics. A few days later E.coli was found in Jolene’s bloodstream. The Center for Infectious Diseases placed her on antibiotics immediately. Jolene had to receive a spinal tap to check if the infection had reached her central nervous system which would cause meningitis and brain injury. By the grace of God the results came back negative. We are currently waiting for a second ultrasound of her brain because there was possible damage to one area. She may have to get a repeat spinal tap to recheck her central nervous system. This will be a long and difficult journey for Jolene.

It has been an incredibly tough season for our family. Whitney hemorrhaged early in her pregnancy and was placed on bed rest. Her pregnancy was very difficult physically and emotionally. Around Christmas she found out that her mother was diagnosed with liver cancer and it took a heavy toll on her. Being on bed rest, caring for a toddler, being unable to travel to be with her mom, and soon having to take care of her injured husband was too much to bear. Hayden was in a near fatal car accident in December and had to have reconstructive knee surgery on Christmas Eve. He suffered from 6 broken ribs, a punctured lung, broken collarbone, a concussion, broken tibia, torn ACL, MCL, meniscus, and all ligaments on the left side. He suffered from a lacerated spleen and ruptured abdominal arteries that caused him to need multiple blood transfusions. It has been a long and difficult season for our family health wise and financially. Hayden has been on medical leave since the accident and medical bills are continuously piling up.

Jolene Kay will be in the NICU for another 2-3 months. She has an incredible group of nurses and doctors caring for her 24/7. We have been there every day and are balancing caring for our 2-year-old daughter Hazel Grace.

If you are able to donate to help our family with the financial burden of medical expenses it would be such a blessing and we would be forever grateful. We ask that you please pray for our Jolene and our family during this extremely difficult time. We have been touched by the outpouring of love, support, and prayers that we have received in the past week since she was born. We love and thank you all so much!