Hinrich's Medical Bills

Nick and I want to personally thank each and everyone of you for all the love, support and prayers we have recieved during this difficult time! You all truly make this journey with Jerrick so much easier and are helping us remain strong. All the money and gas cards we have recieved has helped us with gas to his numerous appointments, unexpected hospital stays, copays and bills! We are uplifted by all the love from this community and Jerrick truly has an army standing behind him. Our boy, a 6 months old now, has conquered what the doctors expected. I created this massive update, so everyone was up to date with what has happened so far! I also created 'Team Jerrick' facebook page, so updates can spread to people who aren't on my personal page. We will be posting updates on there once we start making progress with his surgeries/his health. As most of you already know, Jerrick was born with multiple birth defects. He spent his first 3 weeks in the NICU due to his heart defect. Once he got discharged; it has been a complete rollercoaster. We left the hospital knowing of Jerrick's heart defect. His heart defect is known as DORV (double outlet right ventricle) & pulmonary stenosis, a hole in the VSD & ASD with heterotaxy and dextrocardia. But since being released we found out Jerrick has caudal regression syndrome with a tethered spinal cord (his bottom down failed to develop properly), his club foot ended up being called 'ventricle talus', he has hypospadias, he has a neurogenic bladder, he has Bilateral left lungs (a lung malformation) and mild aspiration (acid reflex that goes into his nose/lungs). We found out due to all of Jerrick's health issues, he is delayed in developments over 2 months. We have been working closely with cardiologist, neurosurgery, pulmonologist, ENT, physical therapists, genetics, urology, orthopedic and his pediatrician. On September 13, Jerrick had a brain and complete spinal MRI. The results confirmed his tethered spinal cord and confirmed that Jerrick's brain is 100% normal. The next day. Jerrick was rushed by ambulance to the cities for Cyanosis. His lungs weren't receiving enough oxygen due to the reaction of the breathing tube. His airways inflammed and he was hospitalized for 8 days. In October, Jerrick ended up getting his first cold. Being that he is a baby with an unrepaired heart, this cold hit him 10x worse. We took him to the ER in the cities and he was hospitalized for 9 days. He developed Bronchitis. He fully recovered from this, but we have to give him daily nebulizer treatments (3 medications) twice a day plus an antibiotic 3 times a week to help prevent anymore illnesses. We finally have approached his biggest surgery! He is faced with open heart surgery on November 2nd to repair his broken heart. This operation is expected to be 6-8 hours long. They will be splitting the ventricles and patching inbetween/patching the holes & replacing his pulmonary valve. They were expecting to do this surgery 3 days after birth, but bumped it to 4 months old, but now changed it to when he is almost 7 months old. He has beaten the odds so far! We will be planning recovery to take 3 weeks in the hospital if all goes smoothly. Jerrick is finally starting to show signs that he is ready for this operation. (Examples are: he is always tired, his feedings are declining and he wants to eat frequently, he starts to sweat when he is eats. But our biggest sign is his growth; he is leveling out because his heart is working even harder.) Once Jerrick is recovered fully from heart surgery and given the OK from cardiologist; our next plan to a healthy life will be to detether his spinal cord. In fact, His nureosurgeon has him scheduled for surgery on January 7th. We will keep this date if all goes well with his heart. We are expected to stay in the hospital 3-5 days for this recovery. After both of these major surgeries on his heart and spinal cord are completed; we will then start 6 weeks of casting on both feet with surgery to follow and then move to braces. As for all of his other health issues; the future will lead us in a path, because right now they are unknown of the severity. Jerrick's physical therapists have been great! He is loving his exercises more. As of right now, they will be involved in Jerrick's life once a week for the next 6 months. Genetics ruled Hetrotaxy Syndrome out, but are working very hard to find a link to Jerrick's health issues. We meet with them in the end of January to figure out what our next steps will be after they review his MRI, xrays, ultrasounds and every other testing he has recieved. Right now this all continues to remain a mystery and a fluke. Please continue to pray for Jerrick through this battle his is facing. You all lift his spirits as he feels each and everyone of your prayers. With much love, Jordan, Nick, Jerrick and Max