Hi everyone, my name is Brandi. This is my newborn son. He was delivered at 29 weeks, 2 days (2 1/2 months early) via unplanned c-section. We were sent over 300 miles from our home to a different hospital with the proper high-risk staffing, with no real information as to the reasoning or what it could possibly mean for our family for a fetal ECHO.

His ECHO showed his heart has a right aortic arch. Based on that, and severe swelling due to pre-eclampsia, they decided it would be the safest option for both our son and me, that they do an immediate c-section. Our son was then sent to the NICU weighing just 3 lbs. He did drop in weight down to just above 2 lbs. He is on a ventilator, he had an umbilical line via IV, which has been pulled, a vent tube to pull air off his stomach, and a feeding tube. We are currently staying at the NICU with no real idea of when he will be strong enough to be released to go home.

Going home unfortunately won't be the end of our medical journey. We are also looking at our newborn son having to potentially undergo heart surgery to fix the complications from the right aortic arch. He is too little for the surgery at this time, and it is something that we will have to travel back the over 300 miles for when it is needed, as it will require a specialist to perform the surgery.

This has been very hard on our other son, as we have never been separated this far, or for this long, but we can't hold him back from school. We are asking for help in covering the costs of the medical expenses for him having to stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, to compensate for my being out of work due to staying with him in the NICU, meals, and transportation. While he is staying in the NICU, I am staying here while his dad and brother are having to continue their normal routine as his brother is in school.

It has been difficult, but we have an amazing team who are very knowledgeable. We would appreciate any help you can give us, even if it is just positive vibes, prayers, and encouragement. Thank you for reading, have a great day!