Nathaniel E. Vargas Donation Fund

Lots of people say God works in mysterious ways, but not many people truly know what that means. Our family was blessed with a gift from God on 12/13/14, after three costly years of fertility. Right from the beginning, Nathaniel had many medical issues. He was born prematurely, weighed 2 lbs 5 oz, and measured in at 14.6 inches. The first couple of days seemed to be going well. He was hooked up to a breathing tube (normal for preemies) which helped get air into his lungs. He was a feisty little guy. His mother got to hold him 2 to 3 hours a day and with the hours she wasn't holding him, Nathaniel was busy lying with the Snoedel doll (a bonding aid that carries the scent of the mother). On the ninth day, his Hemoglobin dropped from 15 to 4%. He was given two blood transfusions throughout the day. There was only minimal improvement. On the eleventh day his stomach started to feel a little hard. The Doctor's said that this wasn't a good sign, so surgery was inevitable.

On Christmas Eve, we were all at the hospital hoping to hear good news, but we were all, sadly, let down. During the surgery, the surgeon found his intestines severely tangled. He untangled his intestines, examined them, and put them back into his stomach. The Doctor told all of us that he had Intestinal Malrotation (twisting of the intestines). His little intestines had been twisted since he formed in the womb. They had begun to deteriorate. We had hoped that blood would begin to recirculate back through them in order to help improve his status. The doctor would open him back up on Friday to physically check the condition of his intestines. Christmas Day passed and Friday came. We were at the Hospital when the doctors went in to check if the blood flow had saved enough of the intestines for him to survive. The Doctors were unable to move baby Nathaniel to the operating room, due to his fragile state. They ended up operating on him in his Small Baby Nicu room. The Surgeon concluded that he wasn't going to make it. His intestines had started dissolving within his little stomach. There was nothing more that could be done. Mom and Dad had to say their heartbreaking goodbyes to their baby boy! Nathaniel Elijah Vargas joined God's kingdom on 12/26/14, as he passed away while in his mother's arms.

On behalf of the family, we are asking for your help to assist with expenses associated with placing Nathaniel to rest. Our goal is to alleviate Chris and Ed (Mom & Dad) of such costs, and have them focus their attention on the healing process. We thank everyone in advance for your thoughts, prayers, and generous contributions. God bless you!