Leila Porter's Medical Fund
Donation protected
As some of you know, my brother Jim Porter and his wife Toula recently gave birth to their beautiful miracle baby, Leila, (pronounced Lee-la). Leila has CDH, Congenital Diaphramatic Hernia. CDH happens when there is a hole in the diaphragm and the intestines and/or the liver make their way through the hole and typically occupy the area around one of the lungs. This leads to minimal growth in the lungs. The percentage of those two things in the lung space determines survival rate. In Leila's case, she was considered in the severe category.
The loving story of Leila started several years ago when she was just a dream. Jim and Toula have one beautiful daughter and wished to add another child to their family. With health challenges being an issue, Toula set forth on a several year journey to strengthen her body to successfully carry a second baby. After several heartbreaking disappointments, they became pregnant with Leila. In their 6th month, they learned of Leila's condition and began preparing for the challenges they would face. Toula underwent many difficult and painful tests during her pregnancy, never once losing hope. Her positive spirit kept us all encouraged that, in fact, Leila would be a miracle.
As the pregnancy developed and more complications came to light, Toula continued to endure the weekly tests and sacrificed her comfort, refusing a procedure that would make her more comfortable, as that would mean a little less security for Leila.
Fast forward to 2/18/15, Toula and Jim are admitted to the hospital to deliver Leila. Toula is induced at 7:30 am and doesn't give birth until the following evening. Not once did she complain or lose hope. She remained upbeat and positive. Finally, Leila was born and whisked away quickly where the doctors worked on her and hooked her up to an ECMO, (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Machine), in essence, life support.
Leila had surgery the following day to correct the placement of her internal organs and to repair the hole in her diaphram. Each hour that goes by the doctors are astonished at her improvement. This little girl has the heart and soul of a warrior princess, much like her mother.
Leila still has a long road to travel before she can come home, as the doctors expect her to be hospitalized for several months. This is why I am reaching out for help. Jim will continue to work and care for their daughter Bella at home, while Toula will remain in the hospital with Leila. As you can imagine, there will be significant expenses for them with lost wages, insurance deductibles and travel costs to and from Boston.
Thank you for taking the time to read my niece's story.
To learn more about CDH, please visit http://www.cherubs-cdh.org.
The loving story of Leila started several years ago when she was just a dream. Jim and Toula have one beautiful daughter and wished to add another child to their family. With health challenges being an issue, Toula set forth on a several year journey to strengthen her body to successfully carry a second baby. After several heartbreaking disappointments, they became pregnant with Leila. In their 6th month, they learned of Leila's condition and began preparing for the challenges they would face. Toula underwent many difficult and painful tests during her pregnancy, never once losing hope. Her positive spirit kept us all encouraged that, in fact, Leila would be a miracle.
As the pregnancy developed and more complications came to light, Toula continued to endure the weekly tests and sacrificed her comfort, refusing a procedure that would make her more comfortable, as that would mean a little less security for Leila.
Fast forward to 2/18/15, Toula and Jim are admitted to the hospital to deliver Leila. Toula is induced at 7:30 am and doesn't give birth until the following evening. Not once did she complain or lose hope. She remained upbeat and positive. Finally, Leila was born and whisked away quickly where the doctors worked on her and hooked her up to an ECMO, (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Machine), in essence, life support.
Leila had surgery the following day to correct the placement of her internal organs and to repair the hole in her diaphram. Each hour that goes by the doctors are astonished at her improvement. This little girl has the heart and soul of a warrior princess, much like her mother.
Leila still has a long road to travel before she can come home, as the doctors expect her to be hospitalized for several months. This is why I am reaching out for help. Jim will continue to work and care for their daughter Bella at home, while Toula will remain in the hospital with Leila. As you can imagine, there will be significant expenses for them with lost wages, insurance deductibles and travel costs to and from Boston.
Thank you for taking the time to read my niece's story.
To learn more about CDH, please visit http://www.cherubs-cdh.org.
Organizer
Kellie Porter Marchant
Organizer
Yarmouth, MA