The Bravery of Aubrey & Avery
Donation protected
We are the Kessel family. We live in Las Cruces, New Mexico. We are expecting our fifth child. Two of our five children are in need of major multiple surgeries.
Our baby boy, Avery, is scheduled to be induced on May 7th. He is fighting the odds against very complex congenital heart defects which include hypoplastic aortic arch with possible coarctation, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, extremely narrow aortic and mitral valves, enlarged right side of the heart, severe tricuspid regurgitation, and dilatation of his left kidney. In layman's terms, the left side of the heart may be too small to be functional and the inlet into the heart is so small that it doesn't allow enough blood into the heart to be pumped. The left side as a whole is also very small. In which case surgeons would normally divert the blood flow to the right side of the heart. Unfortunately, the tricuspid valve has such a bad back flow and has been stretched far too thin to possibly allow the right side to be functional as well. Our options are multiple high risk open heart surgeries. Or palliative care until a matching donor is found and a heart transplant can be performed. This all has to take place in Children's Hospital in Colorado. We are expected to relocate temporarily to Denver in one week.
In addition, our little girl Aubrey has untreated craniosynostosis where her fontanels, aka "soft spots", and cranial sutures closed prematurely at four months. As a result, brain growth and development has been restricted and she has developed numerous health issues. She is 16 months old operating at a ten month old level. She has had pneumonia three times in the span of five months due to small sinuses. Due to all of these factors, doctors have identified that she is also in need of urgent corrective surgery (also at Children's Hospital in Colorado).
To make things more complicated, our primary insurance does not cover travel or lodging expenses and our secondary insurance will not cover any services at all outside of New Mexico. We have exhausted all available resources. I, April Kessel, have stopped working at this point to ensure Avery's greatest chances causing extra financial strain to our family. Devastating news for sure, but God is working in this and I know He will provide. I understand that this economy is tough for most, but we appreciate any support capable of being given (prayer, financial contributions, etc.). We are humbled by your support and consideration to our precious little ones. As more updates become available, we will keep you posted.
Love,
The Kessels
Please feel free to share with your family and loved ones if so moved.
Our baby boy, Avery, is scheduled to be induced on May 7th. He is fighting the odds against very complex congenital heart defects which include hypoplastic aortic arch with possible coarctation, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, extremely narrow aortic and mitral valves, enlarged right side of the heart, severe tricuspid regurgitation, and dilatation of his left kidney. In layman's terms, the left side of the heart may be too small to be functional and the inlet into the heart is so small that it doesn't allow enough blood into the heart to be pumped. The left side as a whole is also very small. In which case surgeons would normally divert the blood flow to the right side of the heart. Unfortunately, the tricuspid valve has such a bad back flow and has been stretched far too thin to possibly allow the right side to be functional as well. Our options are multiple high risk open heart surgeries. Or palliative care until a matching donor is found and a heart transplant can be performed. This all has to take place in Children's Hospital in Colorado. We are expected to relocate temporarily to Denver in one week.
In addition, our little girl Aubrey has untreated craniosynostosis where her fontanels, aka "soft spots", and cranial sutures closed prematurely at four months. As a result, brain growth and development has been restricted and she has developed numerous health issues. She is 16 months old operating at a ten month old level. She has had pneumonia three times in the span of five months due to small sinuses. Due to all of these factors, doctors have identified that she is also in need of urgent corrective surgery (also at Children's Hospital in Colorado).
To make things more complicated, our primary insurance does not cover travel or lodging expenses and our secondary insurance will not cover any services at all outside of New Mexico. We have exhausted all available resources. I, April Kessel, have stopped working at this point to ensure Avery's greatest chances causing extra financial strain to our family. Devastating news for sure, but God is working in this and I know He will provide. I understand that this economy is tough for most, but we appreciate any support capable of being given (prayer, financial contributions, etc.). We are humbled by your support and consideration to our precious little ones. As more updates become available, we will keep you posted.
Love,
The Kessels
Please feel free to share with your family and loved ones if so moved.
Organizer
April Kessel
Organizer
Las Cruces, NM