Angie and Robert are expecting their first child November 17th.  At their 20 week ultrasound visit they were informed their baby girl, Kambrie, has CDH (congenital diaphragmatic hernia). Kambrie has an amazing team of doctors and nurses awaiting her arrival.

Kambrie will be very sick when born and must have surgery to correct the diaphragm and also receive the highest tech of neonatal care. Kambrie’s hospitalization can range anywhere from 3-6 months. It is the unexpected expenses that will add up when taking care of their daughter. During this time, her parents will travel to and from the hospital, continue to maintain their own household (with all the expenses), pay for gas, food, and lodging while away from home. The hospital bills alone may add up into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, not including co-pays.

Side note from Mommy and Daddy about Kambrie:

As most of you already know, our little girl was diagnosed with left-sided CDH at 20 weeks. This was at our anatomy scan appointment. We were expecting to leave the doctor's office feeling excited and joyous, but instead we left with tears and many questions.

After visiting MANY doctors from Tyler, Houston, Dallas and then finally Fort Worth, we decided to place Kambrie's care in the hands of the doctors at Cook Children's in Fort Worth. I will be having her at Harris Methodist the week of November 17th with a scheduled induction. We feel very comforted and confident in the team of doctors that will be taking care of Kambrie, Robert and I.  I have listed a few facts about her condition below and will add updates as we get them.   For now, we wait and pray! :) 

Left-sided diaphragmatic hernia
Stomach and intestines are in the chest cavity preventing left lung from forming properly.
This is causing her heart to shift and pancake a little, although it's working beautifully.
From what they can tell, this is isolated. She has no chromosomal abnormalities and her brain is developing properly.
17% of her liver is in the chest as of MRI done in July. This tells the doctors that the hole in her diaphragm is rather large but not necessarily in-operable.
They will try to unroll and pull together as much tissue to stitch it back up but she may need a patch for extra protection from re-herniation.
We are praying that she does not need to be placed on ECMO (lung bypass machine) because there are risks involved as well as side effects. Her survival rate drops as well.

The plan is to stabilize her right after birth and then see what SHE tells them she needs. Surgery could then happen within a few days, unless she has to be placed on ECMO. They will give her up to two weeks on ECMO to see how she responds and go from there. 

We appreciate the continued prayers and support we receive daily from our friends, family and complete strangers. It will be a tough road but a blessed journey.

- Angie & Robert