Jude & Oliver's Medical Fund
Donation protected
My brother and his wife, Sarah told us they were expecting last Christmas. Expecting one baby.
Several months later, they broke the news that it wasn't one baby we'd be meeting - but two. Two twin boys named Oliver James and Jude Krier.
She was at 27 weeks when I got the text message that she was having early onset contractions and being taken to Northside hospital.
It was then that one of the sacs broke, and she was told she would have to stay on bed rest if she was going to try to carry them full term. Not long after, Jude decided he was ready to meet his family, and he kicked open his amniotic sac.
After an emergency C-Section, I met my sweet nephews. They weighed 2 lbs, and were immediately transferred to incubators. Over the next two months, they were taken immense care of by Northside Hospital as well as their parents.
Oliver unfortunately suffered a class four brain bleed. Most premies suffer a class 1 or 2. Because of this brain bleed, his ventricles could not properly process the fluid. It was collecting and putting pressure on his brain. Every day they were having to go in and "tap" (remove) fluid.
To give you some insight, when an adult has to have 1 or 2 cc's drained from their head, they describe it as the worst pain they've ever felt. Oliver was having almost 30 cc's drained daily. Because of that he was left completely exhausted, and unable to feed for long.
After 86 days in the NICU, their stay was coming to an end. Jude was coming home, and the doctors decided a shunt would be the best option for Oliver.
He went into surgery, and did great and Oliver started taking full feedings.
After a week of being home, infection set in.
He was rushed to Scottish Rite Hospital. In order to treat the infection, the doctors have to remove his shunt, wait for everything to heal over the course of a week or two, and then re-install the shunt.
For those of you that don't know, a shunt is a tube that runs from his brain, down the back of his head, and empties fluid into his stomach.
Our little trooper did great, and everyone was amazed by his stamina.
They are both home now, continually shocking us by how much they eat. They're about 12 lbs at just four months old, and have a chin to account for each month.
Stefan & Sarah are so happy to be finished with hospital stays, but unfortunately it's not all over.
Despite having insurance, there were many instances where specialty doctors were required, as well as many other fees. This has left them with many bills from the last few months.
I'm sure that any new parent can imagine the stress of having not just one, but two new babies. Now add the pressure of medical bills that need to be paid.
My goal is to support them during this time, and raise money for them. Even if it's just a couple dollars from everyone. So many of you have followed this miraculous journey, and if we all just gave a little it would mean a lot.
Share this with people you know, spread it around Facebook. Get them one stepper closer to being able to just focus on their family.
Thank you
Several months later, they broke the news that it wasn't one baby we'd be meeting - but two. Two twin boys named Oliver James and Jude Krier.
She was at 27 weeks when I got the text message that she was having early onset contractions and being taken to Northside hospital.
It was then that one of the sacs broke, and she was told she would have to stay on bed rest if she was going to try to carry them full term. Not long after, Jude decided he was ready to meet his family, and he kicked open his amniotic sac.
After an emergency C-Section, I met my sweet nephews. They weighed 2 lbs, and were immediately transferred to incubators. Over the next two months, they were taken immense care of by Northside Hospital as well as their parents.
Oliver unfortunately suffered a class four brain bleed. Most premies suffer a class 1 or 2. Because of this brain bleed, his ventricles could not properly process the fluid. It was collecting and putting pressure on his brain. Every day they were having to go in and "tap" (remove) fluid.
To give you some insight, when an adult has to have 1 or 2 cc's drained from their head, they describe it as the worst pain they've ever felt. Oliver was having almost 30 cc's drained daily. Because of that he was left completely exhausted, and unable to feed for long.
After 86 days in the NICU, their stay was coming to an end. Jude was coming home, and the doctors decided a shunt would be the best option for Oliver.
He went into surgery, and did great and Oliver started taking full feedings.
After a week of being home, infection set in.
He was rushed to Scottish Rite Hospital. In order to treat the infection, the doctors have to remove his shunt, wait for everything to heal over the course of a week or two, and then re-install the shunt.
For those of you that don't know, a shunt is a tube that runs from his brain, down the back of his head, and empties fluid into his stomach.
Our little trooper did great, and everyone was amazed by his stamina.
They are both home now, continually shocking us by how much they eat. They're about 12 lbs at just four months old, and have a chin to account for each month.
Stefan & Sarah are so happy to be finished with hospital stays, but unfortunately it's not all over.
Despite having insurance, there were many instances where specialty doctors were required, as well as many other fees. This has left them with many bills from the last few months.
I'm sure that any new parent can imagine the stress of having not just one, but two new babies. Now add the pressure of medical bills that need to be paid.
My goal is to support them during this time, and raise money for them. Even if it's just a couple dollars from everyone. So many of you have followed this miraculous journey, and if we all just gave a little it would mean a lot.
Share this with people you know, spread it around Facebook. Get them one stepper closer to being able to just focus on their family.
Thank you
Organizer and beneficiary
Lauren Cashwell
Organizer
Atlanta, GA
Stefan Cashwell
Beneficiary