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We know 2020 has been a rough year for all of us, but Jacob and Kait Gentry have encountered more than most.
Late in 2019, Jacob was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, requiring surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Though he came through the treatments well, he amassed a significant amount of hospital and doctor bills.
Having gone through the cancer scare, the Gentrys were excited to find out this summer that they were expecting a sibling for their 19-month-old daughter, Amelia. Finally, 2020 brought a bright spot of hope and excitement! Unfortunately, Kait suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum (an extreme, continuous nausea and vomiting during pregnancy that can lead to dehydration, weight loss, and electrolyte imbalances [definition per medlineplus.gov]) and struggled to even work from home. She also used up all her sick- and vacation-days and amassed her own hospital bills during a particularly scary ordeal requiring over a week in the hospital.
Once Kait started feeling better toward the fall, things were looking up. However, when she went in for her 20 week ultrasound, it was discovered that their unborn son didn't have any kidneys nor bladder, which resulted in very low amniotic fluid. Without adequate amniotic fluid, Baby Gentry's lungs cannot develop, making him unable to breathe after birth and causing numerous other challenges.
At the recommendation of her midwife and a neonatologist in Pensacola, Kait secured an appointment at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, where two babies with conditions similar to Baby Gentry's had been treated in utero. After days of appointments and tests, the doctors told the Gentrys that they would like to help their baby, but their baby faced a different set of challenges than the other babies they'd treated, and though they could "try" numerous procedures on their baby, the outcome would still look bleak.
After much prayer and counsel, the Gentrys decided against the Johns Hopkins study, believing it best to enjoy what little time God would give them with their son after his birth rather than put him through many painful and likely-unfruitful procedures. Kait plans to carry Baby Gentry as long as her body will allow and as long as he will stay put, though it is likely he will be born prematurely before his March due date.
Though we would all love to take this very difficult situation from the Gentrys, that is not an option. For some reason, God has chosen this path for their family. However, there is at least SOMETHING we can do. This page has been set up to help take away some of the stress they've encountered through the financial hits they've taken this year: the cancer treatments, the hyperemesis gravidarum treatments, lost wages from both illnesses, the Johns Hopkins consultation appointments, burial expenses for Baby Gentry, and lost wages following Baby Gentry's birth.
We know that money can never replace their son, nor can it take away the pain they are experiencing, but let's work together to take away at least some of the stress and burden that financial difficulties bring so they can focus on healing their hearts and keeping their family #GentryStrong.
Thank you for your help!
Late in 2019, Jacob was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, requiring surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Though he came through the treatments well, he amassed a significant amount of hospital and doctor bills.
Having gone through the cancer scare, the Gentrys were excited to find out this summer that they were expecting a sibling for their 19-month-old daughter, Amelia. Finally, 2020 brought a bright spot of hope and excitement! Unfortunately, Kait suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum (an extreme, continuous nausea and vomiting during pregnancy that can lead to dehydration, weight loss, and electrolyte imbalances [definition per medlineplus.gov]) and struggled to even work from home. She also used up all her sick- and vacation-days and amassed her own hospital bills during a particularly scary ordeal requiring over a week in the hospital.
Once Kait started feeling better toward the fall, things were looking up. However, when she went in for her 20 week ultrasound, it was discovered that their unborn son didn't have any kidneys nor bladder, which resulted in very low amniotic fluid. Without adequate amniotic fluid, Baby Gentry's lungs cannot develop, making him unable to breathe after birth and causing numerous other challenges.
At the recommendation of her midwife and a neonatologist in Pensacola, Kait secured an appointment at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, where two babies with conditions similar to Baby Gentry's had been treated in utero. After days of appointments and tests, the doctors told the Gentrys that they would like to help their baby, but their baby faced a different set of challenges than the other babies they'd treated, and though they could "try" numerous procedures on their baby, the outcome would still look bleak.
After much prayer and counsel, the Gentrys decided against the Johns Hopkins study, believing it best to enjoy what little time God would give them with their son after his birth rather than put him through many painful and likely-unfruitful procedures. Kait plans to carry Baby Gentry as long as her body will allow and as long as he will stay put, though it is likely he will be born prematurely before his March due date.
Though we would all love to take this very difficult situation from the Gentrys, that is not an option. For some reason, God has chosen this path for their family. However, there is at least SOMETHING we can do. This page has been set up to help take away some of the stress they've encountered through the financial hits they've taken this year: the cancer treatments, the hyperemesis gravidarum treatments, lost wages from both illnesses, the Johns Hopkins consultation appointments, burial expenses for Baby Gentry, and lost wages following Baby Gentry's birth.
We know that money can never replace their son, nor can it take away the pain they are experiencing, but let's work together to take away at least some of the stress and burden that financial difficulties bring so they can focus on healing their hearts and keeping their family #GentryStrong.
Thank you for your help!
Organizer and beneficiary
Kaitlin Gentry
Beneficiary