Help with Henrik's Medical Expenses

Hello!

My name is Tiffany; I have known Molly for the past seven years through work. This past year I was fortunate to work directly with her in the afterschool program. During one of our staff events, Molly shared that she and Chris were expecting their first child this summer, and we all shared their excitement.

On August 17th, baby Henrik arrived! His family had 24 hours of perfect, adorable baby bliss before getting the news no parent wants to hear. Something was wrong…while processing and preparing for discharge, Henrik failed his coronary heart defect test and was admitted to the hospital. The medical team determined that Henrik had persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) and would need oxygen to help his lungs and heart adjust to life outside the womb.

A few short hours after getting this news, Molly and Chris were informed that Henrik’s health was declining instead of heading home as a family of three as planned. Henrik was transported to Masonic Children’s Hospital by ambulance and admitted to the level IV NICU. Once at Masonic, the doctors grew very concerned about the pressure in his heart and placed Henrik on a CPAP.

The next day Henrik grew fussy and was not eating. The doctor opted to insert a feeding tube. His fussiness continued, and his numbers rapidly declined. As Doctors worked to stabilize Henrik, his numbers continued to drop, and he began to look worse. Doctors did another echocardiogram and found that his heart pressure had skyrocketed. Henrik was put on a ventilator and moved to the Cardiovascular NICU (CVICU), where it was determined that he has a leaky mitral valve that is causing pressure on the left side of his heart to rise and a hole between his atriums.

Since this diagnosis, Henrik has had many ups and downs. He has fought fluid in his lung and a collapsed lung and has braved many medication changes, tests, tubes and wires. Henrik’s nurses report that he is extra sassy & strong. Henrik also has a fantastic team of cardiologists, pulmonologists and neonatologists working together to find the best course of treatment.

Today Henrik is two weeks old and still in the hospital. Knowing that the reality of the cost of care is setting in, I am setting up this Go Fund Me for the Kieger Family. The funds raised through this account will go directly to Molly & Chris to supplement lost wages, pay for parking at the hospital, assist with food and gas costs as they travel to and from the hospital, and most importantly, help with Henrik’s mounting medical bills. I hope our open hearts and wallets will help lift the financial burden the Kieger family faces so they can focus solely on Henrik’s care and enjoy every moment spent with him as he heals.