Help With Newborn Baby Corbin's Surgery Series

Tiffany Burgoyne is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Dustin DeCoria.

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Imperforate Anus afflicts 2 ten-thousandths of a percent of babies born. Before Friday, November 5th, 2021 I'd never even heard of this diagnosis. Friday started much the way you might imagine a scheduled C-section began. The packing was completed, the grandparents arrived and last minute instructions were given for the care of Corbin's two older brothers. My brother, Dustin treated his wife, Kayla to a wash and haircut so she felt all pampered to meet their new little bundle of joy. They went through hospital check-in, sent out video and text updates and eagerly awaited the 1pm scheduled C-section arrival of their son whom they insisted needed to be met before they settled on the name Corbin Mitchell DeCoria.

I started researching C-section lengths around 2:20pm finding them to usually last about 45 minutes. I began to worry something had gone wrong because I hadn't gotten any text updates or photos of my new nephew. Shortly after this, my mom called me barely able to speak and weeping requesting I share with my siblings that little Corbin was, as Dustin described it, "Born without a bum hole." To further complicate things, Corbin's preliminary testing is indicating he has Trisomy 21/Down's Syndrome.

Imperforate Anus is extremely rare happening in 1/5000 births. This means the likelihood is 2 ten-thousandths of percent chance a baby will have this condition. It's more common in boys than girls and also happens more often in cases of Down Syndrome. The cause is unknown. There are no words for the shock Dustin and Kayla experienced as they had no idea anything was amiss with their little guy despite having multiple ultrasounds.

Little Corbin was 5lbs 14oz and 19.75'' long. Since he had no way of eliminating waste, he couldn't eat until he had surgery and the Idaho Falls hospital he was born in was not equipped to help him. Little Corbin had both a saline IV and a feeding tube placed which fed him sugar water and then pumped it right back out as his only form of nutrition until he was able to be transferred to Primary Children's Hospital in SLC for surgery to allow him to eat. He wasn't able to undergo surgery until late Saturday (11/6/21)--the poor little guy didn't get his first food (colostrum pumped from his vigilant momma) until Sunday (11/7/21) at 3:05pm--more than TWO whole days after he was born.

Corbin has received the first of at least three surgeries. The first surgery, a "loop colostomy" was considered successful, however he had to have his pump tubing (they refer to this as an Anderson) replaced Monday (11/8/21) because he has lots of air in his stomach, is vomiting some, and his digestive system isn't fully functioning which could lead to infection. This mean Corbin was again being fed intravenously and unable to eat normally. Corbin has also been placed on low flow oxygen as a means of support to his body. As of today (Thursday 11/11/21) the Anderson has been removed and Kayla will again try to feed Corbin normally, we are praying his digestive system responds well to this, but only time will tell.

Corbin's timing for the next needed reconstructive surgery is fully dependent on his growth, healing, and body. This could be as soon as four months from now, but also could be much longer. The next surgery in this series will create an anus, followed by a period allowing this to heal, and then another surgery to connect the colon so Corbin will be able to eliminate waste normally.

Dustin and Kayla are currently waiting for the final report to come back on whether Corbin has Down Syndrome and the scores of health complications which often accompany this prognosis. Meanwhile, multiple tests are being run and analyzed for Corbin's other bodily systems and functions. Many have come back as good news and for this we are all so grateful.

Kayla was able to be discharged from the hospital in Idaho Falls and was able to join Dustin and Corbin Sunday evening (11/7/21) at Primary Children's and is able to stay bedside and attend to Corbin. Corbin's two older brothers are being cared for by his grandparents and are able to enjoy time with other cousins who live nearby as well which helps alleviate what could be a big worry in childcare.

At this point they are hoping to come home in the near future, but with Corbin's digestive system function questionable, the timing on this is unknown. In order to be transferred to the Primary Children's NICU, Corbin was medically transported from the hospital in Idaho Falls by ambulance to medical jet to ambulance again before arriving to await his first surgery. The time Corbin will need to spend at Primary Children's medical center is unknown. There will be a whole new education for Dustin and Kayla as they learn to care for Corbin's stoma (this is the life-saving surgery Corbin needed creating an opening in his abdomen to be able to pass waste) and changing ostomy bags (this is where the waste is captured). Changing ostomy bags will surely keep them busy with a newborn. Dustin and Kayla wisely saved money for Kayla's C-section delivery. However, little Corbin's health complications have thrown them for a loop no one would ever anticipate. Their family has a high deductible which will need to be met this year and most certainly again next year with anticipated surgeries and medical care, support, and supplies. It would be amazing to alleviate even a little bit of their upcoming financial strain/stress. Little Corbin has shown to be a fighter, but there is so much currently unknown for the DeCoria family. Any financial help and prayers you can offer to/for Corbin and on our family's behalf are most appreciated. Thank you so much!