Miracle Margot-A Journey Compatible With Love

Hello family and friends. This is Star, Zanna’s sister. I am organizing this page with Zanna’s friend Briana, on behalf of Zanna, Nick, Margot, and Ruby Schoeppner. I see on social media that there are many of you out there who know them or our families and have been following along with Margot’s journey. This precious little girl has been fighting for her life since before she was born.

Zanna had a tough pregnancy. There were some things throughout their pregnancy that warranted extra monitoring. Zanna was a rock during this period-working full time at her structural engineering position, being mom to 2 year old Ruby, going through a house remodel, and attending multiple doctors appointments each week. While it was bumpy, things would seem to level out here and there. Towards the end of her pregnancy, we became aware that the baby likely had a heart defect that would require surgery shorty after birth. While this was difficult news to receive, we all prepared in knowing this for when she was born.

Zanna gave birth to Margot Jayne Schoeppner on July 16th, 2021, at a tiny 4 lbs 10 oz. The following day, the need for heart surgery was confirmed. Margot was quickly transferred to Akron Children’s Hospital where it was also discovered that she needed immediate emergency life-saving surgery for an intestinal perforation. This was a scary surgery for those of us who knew it was happening. We were all so thankful when that surgery went smoothly and her intestines were left healthy after the surgery.

When Margot was 1.5 weeks old, our families were given the most difficult news of our lives. Margot was diagnosed with Trisomy 18, also called Edward’s Syndrome. This is a random chromosomal condition in which Margot’s cells have 3 copies of chromosome 18 instead of the usual 2 copies. Multiple health conditions arise amidst the presence of this extra chromosome. Along with this diagnosis, we know Margot’s time with us is unknown. What we do know is that Margot is a warrior who has been defying odds since before birth. Zanna and Nick have chosen to do everything in their power, through the guidance of their incredible NICU and medical teams at Akron Children’s Hospital, guidance by their faith, and their love as Margot’s parents. They are treating her symptoms as they arise instead of relinquishing into hopelessness. They (& we all) hold hope and light for Margot’s continuing life, because as mentioned, Margot’s life path is unknown to us. I often remind myself that the unknown holds the possibility of bringing joyful surprises.

At 2 weeks old, Margot had her first heart surgery which was successful thanks to the expertise and knowledge of her surgeon. She was recovering from that surgery when other issues became known.

Recently, we found out that Margot has a cancerous liver tumor. Nick and Zanna were faced with the most harrowing decision of how they wanted to proceed. They essentially were given only 2 choices: provide hospice/comfort care or move forward with chemotherapy not knowing how she would withstand such a treatment. They have chosen to give Margot every chance possible to live a longer life with her family and decided to move forward with chemo. At nearly 10 weeks old Margot had surgery to insert a Broviac line and her chemotherapy treatment commenced the following day.

This brings us to now. Briana and I know so many friends and family who have reached out asking how they can help. We wanted to set up a place for Nick and Zanna’s communities who dearly love them and their family to do so. Zanna and Nick are showing the strength and determination of parents’ love for their children. They have been in the NICU every day and night with Margot while alternating nights at home to give Ruby her much needed Daddy and Mommy time. They are juggling so incredibly much right now. We are all grateful the NICU team allowed and made for a special visit in order for Ruby to meet her baby sister Margot before chemo treatment started. Margot will be continuing her chemotherapy treatments and when she reaches a high enough body weight, she will need to have the surgery to correct her VSD (the hole between her heart ventricles).

I know we cannot understand the weight on Zanna and Nick’s hearts and minds with these most complicated and heartrending decisions placed in their hands. We can join together to help relieve some of the financial burden they will face from ongoing medical costs. We, organizing this page, would be so grateful for our communities and families to gather around them, hold them close in our hearts, help uplift them for strength, and show our devotion & support in helping them through this delicate, unique journey. Our families are so appreciative of the outpouring of tenderness and prayers we know you all are sending out into the universe and heavens for precious Margot❤️ Please leave comments on here for Nick and Zanna to receive. Also, please share this page with others who know and love this sweet family. We love you so, so much Zanna, Nick, Margot, and Ruby ❤️❤️❤️ I pray day and night for our beloved Margot to continue to be a living miracle

In gratitude,

Star & Briana

P.S. Please follow this page as we will post updates on Margot as we receive them from Nick and Zanna