Join Baby Julia's Journey to Health

Hello everyone! Our names are Rebekah Streit and Brian Andrea and we are writing out of love and support for our two dear friends Ryan and Susann Salzman and their new, tiny baby girl Julia Mae. We were so excited when they shared with us in March of 2024 that Baby Salzman would be arriving in September of 2024. However, God had a different plan.

On June 14, 2024, Susann was transported by ambulance to United Hospital in St Paul, MN for suspected premature rupture of membrane, i.e., one’s water breaking, and was diagnosed with cervical insufficiency, a medical condition of pregnancy in which the cervix begins to dilate and efface before the pregnancy has reached full term. She was given crucial medication to help protect the baby’s lungs and brain. After 6 days in the antepartum unit, Susann was deemed stable enough to be discharged home. On June 25th Susann's water did break. After being evaluated at labor and delivery in Eau Claire, WI, she was air lifted back to United Hospital where she would be admitted until delivery. The goal was to get Susann and baby to 34 weeks but after 3 days, Susann quickly went into labor and ultimately developed an infection that affected the baby’s well-being. The following morning, June 28th, Ryan and Susann welcomed their sweet little girl into this world. Baby Julia was delivered via emergency C-section weighing only 2lbs 7oz. She was born at 26 weeks and 6 days, or 3 months before her due date.

Due to baby Julia's critical condition, she was admitted into the highest level neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). With underdeveloped lungs, immune system, and many other encumbrances, baby Julia will spend the next 3 months in the NICU at Children's Hospital in St. Paul, MN.

Baby Julia continues to improve every day, but she has a very long road ahead of her. She's able to breathe with the assistance of a CPAP machine and oxygen and is tolerating increased feedings. Baby Julia required a blood transfusion to improve her hemoglobin levels and her latest bloodwork shows improvements with her white blood cell count back in normal range. She continues to need UV lighting to help better her bilirubin levels. Additionally, Susann and Ryan have been able to start “kangaroo care”, or skin on skin contact, which is vital for her growth and development. Despite baby Julia’s great improvements, there may be many more challenges facing her as she continues to grow.

Ryan and Susann were against us doing this, but we felt we needed to help. The purpose of this GoFundMe is to ease the financial burden of the already mounting medical bills. So please, family and friends from all over, if you feel so inclined, please consider donating to the many unforeseen expenses that will inevitably come up as they journey through to bringing baby Julia home. If you are unable to give at this time, we ask that you send prayers and good thoughts to Ryan, Susann, Vanek (big brother!), baby Julia, and all the doctors and nurses caring for them. Let's rally around them and show that kindness and compassion can make a difference!

Last, but not least, please consider sharing their story and watch for updates! We so appreciate the prayers, donations, and support during this difficult time. So MUCH LOVE and Thanks ♥

Love, Rebekah and Brian.