Mom and Baby Long Need Our Help

I met Mrs. Long at her first prenatal visit. A young, well educated, self advocating registered nurse and mother to 2 girls, ages 4 and 7, and a new baby on the way. She expressed fear during one of our visits a few months later, that her mother had passed away unexpectedly of heart complications. I told her that she was staying healthy and on top of her symptoms and that there was little concern about that happening to her. Her pregnancy continued to go well. Mrs. Long continued to work full time to provide, along with her husband, for their family. At 26-27 weeks she called to complain of dehydration from stomach upset. She went to the emergency room and was diagnosed with COVID. Her symptoms were GI related only and she was discharged home with warnings. 2 days later, Mrs. Long was admitted to the hospital and one day after admission she was intubated and placed on a ventilator . 2 days after being intubated, her OB team made the decision, with the ICU doctors input, to deliver her 27 week premature baby girl. Her daughter’s heart rate had started to show signs that her mom could not keep up with enough oxygen for both her and baby. Her daughter was born and transferred to the ICU, intubated and on a ventilator, like her mother. Mrs. Long and her baby girl continue to fight for their lives, her husband and 2 daughters unable to hug her, pray over her and tell her « I love you ». Her husband has a strong family and friend support group but, financially without Mrs. Long’s work income, he needs help. These are the times in human existence when we must rise to help our brothers and sisters in any way we can. Mrs. Long is a story of sadness and despair but it doesn’t have to remain this way. She has always been an optimistic and resilient spirit and I know she and her daughter are fighting the hardest that they can and we are not giving up! Please join with us in prayer and in giving. Please donate to the Long family today and please share!!!

In Faith,

Dr. Roxanne Pero