Hunter's Medical Fund

Hunter Stone Marciniak, was born on May 21, 2015, at 9:37am, weighing 12lbs 3.8 ounces and 21-1/4 inches long.  Due to his sheer size there was an automatic concern about his blood sugar levels.  After the nurse was able to get him cleaned up and off the scale the first thing she did was test his blood sugar levels.  At that point, the nurse had a look of urgency on her face and said, his sugar is 17.  Ok, 17, what does 17 mean!?  She then turned to her colleagues and said "we have a sugar at 17."  Everyone stopped what they were doing and grabbed glucose water and a concentrated glucose shot to bring his blood sugar level up to a safe number.  At that point, the education about blood sugar levels and what numbers are safe had just begun.  If you have an unsafe low blood sugar for an extended period of time it can cause permanent brain damage and/or seizures.  A safe blood sugar level for a newborn is over 40, and an ideal blood sugar for a newborn is between 70-100.  On May 27th, he was transferred to the Jersey Shore Medical Center and placed in the NICU, after being at Riverview Medical Center for 5 days.   Doctors at Jersey Shore were trying to stabilize his blood sugar medically using fluids, glucose, and a mixture of medicines.  On the third day of Hunters stay at Jersey Shore he finally got to meet the Endocrinologist and soon after he was  diagnosed with Congenital Hyperinsulinism (HI).  From there, the doctors at Jersey Shore came in contact with the  Endocrinologists at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).  From that point on, the doctors at Jersey Shore were taking orders from the Endocrinologists at CHOP until a bed opened up in Philadelphia for Hunter to be transported.  1 in 50,000 children are born with HI and 80% of those children are transported to CHOP for treatment.  Chop has a care center dedicated just to children who have this rare condition.  Check out the link below to learn a little bit more about Congenital Hyperinsulinisum.

CHOP Congenital Hyperinsulinism care page

On June 3rd Hunter was tranferred to CHOP.  Genetic blood tests have been sent out for Hunter and his parents (my sister and her husband), and they are currently waiting for results.  He is scheduled for a PET scan (positron emission tomography), pending the blood test results.  While waiting for results, Hunter is on glucagon, diazoxide, diuril, D30 (dextrose solution at 30%), sodium, and a NG (feeding tube).  The glucagon is being ran through a seperate IV in his hand.  He needs the feeding tube to be sure he gets his full feed with proper nutrition every 3 hours, because he is only taking about 1/8 - 1/4 of the full amount they want him to consume by mouth.  He also has a double lumen PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) line in his arm which is a longer term IV in a central vein for direct access to get glucose to his heart to be distributed throughout his body.

Hunter has a Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Care Page where his mom and dad post updates. To view Hunters carepage you have sign up, sign in, and type "HunterStone" one word in the search bar. 

http://www.carepages.com/carepages/HunterStone

Also, the link below will bring you to a youtube video series 1-7 which explains Hyperinsulinism in full detail and all the steps involved to cure or decrease the insulin production. The Endocrinologists, Dr.'s, and Surgeon you will see in this video series are the actual Dr's who are taking care of Hunter each and every day.  Please watch to understand how serious this condition actually is and to help educate and create awarness!

Hyperinsulinism Youtube serious (1-7)

I know the only thing my sister Brittney and her husband Chris want, is for their baby boy is to be home with them and his big brother.  I have created this fund to help out with the financial burden of medical bills that follow.  

Thank you all for your love and support.