On Friday, January 17th, Lee and Hannah Skidmore took their 20-month-old daughter Laurel to the emergency room for what seemed to be a bad stomach bug. The situation quickly escalated to emergency abdominal surgery Saturday night at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital in Spokane.

Laurel was diagnosed with a severe case of intussusception, a condition where a portion of the bowels telescopes and folds in on itself creating a host of problems that can quickly become life threatening.  Her appendix, some of her colon, and small intestines folded in on themselves causing them to die and sending her into early stages of septic shock.  After 2 hours of emergency surgery doctors removed approximately 17 inches of her bowels.  Doctors also had to perform a temporary ileostomy to allow her remaining bowels heal.  She will have an ileostomy bag for the next 2 to 3 months until she is healthy enough for them to reverse it. 

Laurel is doing much better now and is recovering in the hospital. She will hopefully be going home this weekend when the risk of infection subsides. Her long-term prognosis is good as the doctors are hopeful for a full recovery; however, to reverse the ileostomy she faces another surgery and an additional 7-10 days in the hospital.

There are a few ways you can help:
 
If you are able to give financially, please know that all of these funds will go to offset Laurel's current and upcoming medical expenses. 

If you're local and interested in helping split and stack firewood for the family, please contact me and I'll coordinate a firewood party.

Most of all, prayers for Laurel’s quick and full recovery.
 
Thank you!