Help the Dannehy Family
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On April 3rd, little Ryleigh Lou Celeste was born via emergency C-section. After almost two days of labor, her medical team decided her Mommy was too tired and Ryleigh was stressed. The C-section went as planned and Ryleigh arrived into this crazy world during the pandemic. Her 16-month old brother Liam couldn’t come visit at the hospital; the only visitor allowed was her Daddy due to COVID-19 rules. After 5 days in the hospital, Ryleigh’s Mommy and Daddy got to bring her home. She finally got to meet her little brother.
Life was starting to settle in, little Liam was falling in love with his little sister Ryleigh. All of that changed on April 10th when Ryleigh’s Mommy realized something wasn’t right. Ryleigh had started to vomit, not just typical baby spit-up. Once she had a messy diaper, her Mommy called the clinic. Ryleigh’s Mommy and Daddy rushed her to the clinic, a little less than an hour drive. The doctor they saw was quick to decide that she needed to be seen by doctors who specialized in baby GI issues. Within one hour, Ryleigh, her Mommy and her Daddy were driving to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN to have her seen by specialty medical professionals.
Once at the clinic, Ryleigh was first seen in Emergency. The doctor was quick to start with ruling out the worst-case scenario first, NEC, Necrotizing Enterocolitis. Even though NEC typically only happens with preemie babies, it wasn’t long before this was little Ryleigh’s diagnosis. Things started happening quite quickly after the diagnosis, Ryleigh was admitted to PICU. A tube was placed through Ryleigh’s mouth into her stomach to assist with draining so that her intestines did not become more inflamed. Obviously, Ryleigh had her own preference of where the tube was to be placed. After pulling it out a few times, they placed the tube through her tiny nose and then into her stomach.
Because there are no feedings for 7 days minimum as part of the treatment for NEC, Ryleigh has had several IV’s placed within the first three days. On day 4, a PICC line was placed for her to receive nutrition and antibiotics and replace the IV. They weigh every soiled diaper she has.
Days 5 and 6 have been filled with X-Ray’s and blood work to track Ryleigh’s progress. The medical teams are encouraged by little Ryleigh’s progress but are still unsure if surgery will be needed. As of today, April 22, 2020, the plan is to begin small feedings on day 8 or 9 to see how Ryleigh does.
With COVID-19 happening during all of this, Ryleigh can have one visitor at a time, and only her Mommy and Daddy. Ryleigh’s Mommy is staying with her most of the time so that her Daddy can be home with her brother, Liam. Liam and his Daddy make the trip to Rochester every day so that Daddy can visit with Ryleigh while Mommy is having lunch and time with Liam.
The road is going to be long for this family. Luckily, medical insurance will cover most if not all the medical costs incurred for the hospital stay. However, there are so many expenses not covered. With Ryleigh’s Daddy being furloughed right now for COVID-19 reasons and her Mommy being on maternity leave, they could use a little help to cover the extras.
Anything you can give for this family will be truly appreciated! Even the smallest amounts make a difference for costs such as gas and meals.
Thank you!
Life was starting to settle in, little Liam was falling in love with his little sister Ryleigh. All of that changed on April 10th when Ryleigh’s Mommy realized something wasn’t right. Ryleigh had started to vomit, not just typical baby spit-up. Once she had a messy diaper, her Mommy called the clinic. Ryleigh’s Mommy and Daddy rushed her to the clinic, a little less than an hour drive. The doctor they saw was quick to decide that she needed to be seen by doctors who specialized in baby GI issues. Within one hour, Ryleigh, her Mommy and her Daddy were driving to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN to have her seen by specialty medical professionals.
Once at the clinic, Ryleigh was first seen in Emergency. The doctor was quick to start with ruling out the worst-case scenario first, NEC, Necrotizing Enterocolitis. Even though NEC typically only happens with preemie babies, it wasn’t long before this was little Ryleigh’s diagnosis. Things started happening quite quickly after the diagnosis, Ryleigh was admitted to PICU. A tube was placed through Ryleigh’s mouth into her stomach to assist with draining so that her intestines did not become more inflamed. Obviously, Ryleigh had her own preference of where the tube was to be placed. After pulling it out a few times, they placed the tube through her tiny nose and then into her stomach.
Because there are no feedings for 7 days minimum as part of the treatment for NEC, Ryleigh has had several IV’s placed within the first three days. On day 4, a PICC line was placed for her to receive nutrition and antibiotics and replace the IV. They weigh every soiled diaper she has.
Days 5 and 6 have been filled with X-Ray’s and blood work to track Ryleigh’s progress. The medical teams are encouraged by little Ryleigh’s progress but are still unsure if surgery will be needed. As of today, April 22, 2020, the plan is to begin small feedings on day 8 or 9 to see how Ryleigh does.
With COVID-19 happening during all of this, Ryleigh can have one visitor at a time, and only her Mommy and Daddy. Ryleigh’s Mommy is staying with her most of the time so that her Daddy can be home with her brother, Liam. Liam and his Daddy make the trip to Rochester every day so that Daddy can visit with Ryleigh while Mommy is having lunch and time with Liam.
The road is going to be long for this family. Luckily, medical insurance will cover most if not all the medical costs incurred for the hospital stay. However, there are so many expenses not covered. With Ryleigh’s Daddy being furloughed right now for COVID-19 reasons and her Mommy being on maternity leave, they could use a little help to cover the extras.
Anything you can give for this family will be truly appreciated! Even the smallest amounts make a difference for costs such as gas and meals.
Thank you!
Organizer and beneficiary
Kitty Steege-Coelin
Organizer
Winona, MN
Brittany Dannehy
Beneficiary
