
Help with Sweet Baby Jane's medical expenses
Donation protected
Hello, my name is Rhonda Vogl and I want to share the story about my son, his wife and their two sweet babies, Ellie and Jane. On September 19th, Elizabeth Carpenter (Betty) went into early labor and was admitted to Sierra Vista AZ hospital where they tried to stop the labor. Baby Jane was not due to arrive until November 8th. In the course of things, it was discovered that Jane had serious medical issues - some kind of bowel obstruction that was yet to be determined. Betty was put on a helicopter and flown to Tucson Medical Center (TMC). 11 month old Ellie was brought to friends' home in Sierra Vista while Heath made the 1.5 hour drive to TMC. All efforts were made to stop labor and measures were taken to speed up Jane's lung development in case they could not prevent her birth at 32 weeks. It was discovered that Jane's condition was much more serious than they thought. I bought a one-way plane ticket and prepared to leave my Idaho home to help my kids and grandkids in every way I could. Betty was released to the Tucson Ronald McDonald House of Charities (RMHC), nearby TMC so they could continue to monitor her and the baby. I got on a plane on September 23rd, and when I landed in Tucson, I learned that little baby Jane had arrived at only 4 lbs. 8 oz, and with serious health issues. She had surgery at only 3 days old to repair a Jejunal Atresia - a blockage in the bowel. She had a non-nourished portion of her bowel and intestine due to the blockage in utero. The healthy and non-healthy sections were connected in hopes of full recovery of Jane's tiny little system. Jane went on to have problems with digesting breast milk and formula, with watery/bloody stool, possible infection and fail to thrive. She didn't gain weight as she should have and was lethargic. This tiny human was hooked up to IV for nutrition and had tubes and wires everywhere. Meanwhile Betty was discharged and we all lived in the RMHC, to stay close to Jane. I watched Ellie each day so Betty could go to the hospital to be with Jane. Heath tried to work as much as possible and drove home (2 hours away in Hereford) to care for animals when he could and drove back at night to go see Jane. Jane remained in NICU for over a month before they discharged her. We all happily checked out of the RMHC and went to Heath and Betty's home to settle in. I bought my ticket to return home after over a month in AZ. All seemed well. After I returned to Idaho, it was only a few days before Jane returned to NICU on October 25th. She was losing weight, was not absorbing nutrients and had a lower body temperature as she could not regulate her temperature. Betty was breastfeeding non-stop and supplementing with formula but sweet Jane just was not responding. Now, my family was left without the necessary help needed when there were so many moving parts, because I had left. Thankfully, their friends took Ellie into their home where she was loved and cared for. Betty's parents arrived, from Czech Republic, on November 8th to help out and they all were back at RMHC. Betty's parents went to the home in Hereford to prepare it for Jane's arrival after discharge. It was then that black mold was discovered in a closet near the kitchen, caused by a leaky water heater. The home is inhabitable, especially for a one-year old and a fragile newborn. They are essentially homeless at this point. The RMHC has agreed to house them until Tuesday but they do not know what they will do after that. They are awaiting word from the insurance company on whether the mold problem will be covered. It will take extensive remediation and remodeling to make the home habitable and safe again. Heath's health insurance was not sufficient to cover the medical bills that are now arriving, including the helicopter transport to TMC. They are not ones to ask for help and struggled with allowing me to tell their story but I can think of no other way for this young family. These babies deserve a safe and healthy home and the bills will bury this family for years to come if they do not get assistance. So, here I stand, humbly asking you all to come together and help. No donation is too small for this faithful Christian family who live by His word and are so quick to help others. Now, they are in dire need of assistance and so this mother and grandmother turns to you. More than anything, your prayers are most appreciated that Jane thrives and overcomes the health problems she is experiencing. This sweet tiny baby has been through so much in her short life and has fought so hard. She is not yet out of the woods but we have hope and faith, always. Please, help this young family in their time of need. I assure you they will pay it forward.
Organizer and beneficiary
Rhonda Vogl
Organizer
Bonners Ferry, ID
Heath Carpenter
Beneficiary