- E
- J
Our story
On November 12th, 2020, our world was forever changed when we found out our sweet daughter, Emmaline “Millie” Sue has a nuerotube defect called Spina Bifida. Spina Bifida is a medical condition in which a baby’s spinal cord does not fully close during pregnancy (between days 28-30 after conception), and has a wide range of severity and impacts to the person. We found out Millie has the most significant form of Spina Bifida, called Myelomeningocele (MMC), as well as bilateral (both) clubbed feet, which is a common co-diagnosis.
We were quickly thrown into the world of navigating a complex medical diagnosis, and through the grace of God, went to Lurie’s Children’s Hospital in Chicago on 11/23/20 to learn more about her condition and treatment options. It was there, we learned we were candidates for a cutting edge form of treatment, called Fetal Surgery. In a whirlwind of events, we had surgery on 12/21/20. This surgery was over 8 hours long, and it involved exposing the uterus, and closing up the opening on Millie’s back.
Millie’s surgery was a success, and on a MRI at 29 weeks, we were able to see some really significant improvements in her health, specifically in some of the brain issues that were being caused by the pressure of having an open spinal cord.
This surgery did not come without expenses or risks, and we accepted them head on, knowing that we needed to try everything possible to help give our daughter the best future. I (Alyssa) have been relocated to Chicago on bedrest since the surgery, away from both Simon and Henry except on weekends. Simon has traveled to Chicago every weekend after school with Henry for the past 9 weeks. This has been an emotional strain on our family, but we have remained strong in knowing that we made the best decision we could to help our unborn daughter.
The biggest risk of surgery was pre-term labor (being born before 37 weeks gestation). On 2/14/21, this risk became a reality, when my water broke unexpectedly at 32 weeks 6 days. We are currently at Northwestern Women’s Hospital in Chicago, where we will deliver Millie by 2/22/21. She will have a NICU stay for prematurity, (transferred to Lurie’s which is attached), as well as monitoring for the complications that arise with a diagnosis of Spina Bifida.
Throughout this process, we have stayed quite private with the costs and details related to her care. However, with the unexpectedness of an additional 6 weeks of unpaid time off of work, plus her already large medical expenses with surgery, NICU stay, and upcoming specialist visits this summer/the rest of her life, we are being called to humbly ask our community, friends, and family for help in making her care a reality for us.
This summer, we will travel to West Palm Beach Florida, to see the number one orthopedic specialist in the country to correct Millie’s clubbed feet. This will pose a large financial burden to our family, as we will need to pay for the travel, stay, and care she receives there over a 6/8 week time frame. However, we know this will give our little girl the absolutely best chances at walking in the future.
We have been OVERWHELMED by the gracious support we have already received from our closest friends and families. If monetary help is not possible at this time, any prayers and well wishes for our sweet girl are whole heartedly accepted!!
With so much love and thankfulness-
Simon and Alyssa Anderson
Hi all! My name is Jenny Boosey and I am here to help support my best friends, Alyssa and Simon, as they continue to do the incredible and hard work as wonderful parents to Millie (and her adorable big brother, Henry). The Anderson family has been on the receiving end of so much life changing information in these past several months. Through the high's and low's, they have shown a strength and grace that has been a true inspiration to those around them. With every decision, Millie's bright future has been the guiding light.
It is important to note that all donations, big and small, will help support Millie and the Anderson's in accessing her care. If you would prefer to contribute financially (without transaction fee), private checks can be mailed or venmo/zelle information can also be supplied. Of course, we will celebrate and add any offline donations to the total contributions so that we can celebrate all of the support surrounding our Millie girl.
Please help me in supporting Alyssa and Simon make these wonderful, although often challenging decisions with Millie at the center of every choice. Don't forget to share this link (and hashtag) with any and all as any financial donations, prayers and well wishes will help this family continue to move mountains! #gofundMillie
All the love,
Jenny
On November 12th, 2020, our world was forever changed when we found out our sweet daughter, Emmaline “Millie” Sue has a nuerotube defect called Spina Bifida. Spina Bifida is a medical condition in which a baby’s spinal cord does not fully close during pregnancy (between days 28-30 after conception), and has a wide range of severity and impacts to the person. We found out Millie has the most significant form of Spina Bifida, called Myelomeningocele (MMC), as well as bilateral (both) clubbed feet, which is a common co-diagnosis.
We were quickly thrown into the world of navigating a complex medical diagnosis, and through the grace of God, went to Lurie’s Children’s Hospital in Chicago on 11/23/20 to learn more about her condition and treatment options. It was there, we learned we were candidates for a cutting edge form of treatment, called Fetal Surgery. In a whirlwind of events, we had surgery on 12/21/20. This surgery was over 8 hours long, and it involved exposing the uterus, and closing up the opening on Millie’s back.
Millie’s surgery was a success, and on a MRI at 29 weeks, we were able to see some really significant improvements in her health, specifically in some of the brain issues that were being caused by the pressure of having an open spinal cord.
This surgery did not come without expenses or risks, and we accepted them head on, knowing that we needed to try everything possible to help give our daughter the best future. I (Alyssa) have been relocated to Chicago on bedrest since the surgery, away from both Simon and Henry except on weekends. Simon has traveled to Chicago every weekend after school with Henry for the past 9 weeks. This has been an emotional strain on our family, but we have remained strong in knowing that we made the best decision we could to help our unborn daughter.
The biggest risk of surgery was pre-term labor (being born before 37 weeks gestation). On 2/14/21, this risk became a reality, when my water broke unexpectedly at 32 weeks 6 days. We are currently at Northwestern Women’s Hospital in Chicago, where we will deliver Millie by 2/22/21. She will have a NICU stay for prematurity, (transferred to Lurie’s which is attached), as well as monitoring for the complications that arise with a diagnosis of Spina Bifida.
Throughout this process, we have stayed quite private with the costs and details related to her care. However, with the unexpectedness of an additional 6 weeks of unpaid time off of work, plus her already large medical expenses with surgery, NICU stay, and upcoming specialist visits this summer/the rest of her life, we are being called to humbly ask our community, friends, and family for help in making her care a reality for us.
This summer, we will travel to West Palm Beach Florida, to see the number one orthopedic specialist in the country to correct Millie’s clubbed feet. This will pose a large financial burden to our family, as we will need to pay for the travel, stay, and care she receives there over a 6/8 week time frame. However, we know this will give our little girl the absolutely best chances at walking in the future.
We have been OVERWHELMED by the gracious support we have already received from our closest friends and families. If monetary help is not possible at this time, any prayers and well wishes for our sweet girl are whole heartedly accepted!!
With so much love and thankfulness-
Simon and Alyssa Anderson
Hi all! My name is Jenny Boosey and I am here to help support my best friends, Alyssa and Simon, as they continue to do the incredible and hard work as wonderful parents to Millie (and her adorable big brother, Henry). The Anderson family has been on the receiving end of so much life changing information in these past several months. Through the high's and low's, they have shown a strength and grace that has been a true inspiration to those around them. With every decision, Millie's bright future has been the guiding light.
It is important to note that all donations, big and small, will help support Millie and the Anderson's in accessing her care. If you would prefer to contribute financially (without transaction fee), private checks can be mailed or venmo/zelle information can also be supplied. Of course, we will celebrate and add any offline donations to the total contributions so that we can celebrate all of the support surrounding our Millie girl.
Please help me in supporting Alyssa and Simon make these wonderful, although often challenging decisions with Millie at the center of every choice. Don't forget to share this link (and hashtag) with any and all as any financial donations, prayers and well wishes will help this family continue to move mountains! #gofundMillie
All the love,
Jenny
Organizer and beneficiary
Simon Anderson
Beneficiary