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Our dear son, Odin James Kraemer, is fighting a battle that no child should have to fight - the fight for his life.
Odin is just 7 days old. As his parents, the moment Odin was born was a moment of uncontrollable happy tears and joy. We cried. We laughed. We hugged. Because after suffering two miscarriages, the undeniable pressure lifted. We finally brought our baby boy into this world. But just hours into his life, our son Odin… turned gray. His heart was failing him. 11 hours into this world, and Odin was already sedated, intubated, and had x-rays, MRIs, and an echocardiogram. Our beautiful “healthy” boy, wasn’t so healthy after all. He was diagnosed with a heart defect called “Transposition of the Great Arteries” (TGA). He will require open-heart surgery to survive. Doctors say with the surgery, he’ll be a happy, functioning little boy who can run, play, and be a kid.
What’s TGA?
Transposition of the Great Arteries is a heart defect that occurs when the two main blood vessels leaving the heart are in abnormal positions. TGA is a life-threatening congenital condition that disrupts the blood flow throughout his heart. Robbing his body of oxygen-rich blood. Babies with TGA need open-heart surgery to survive the first year of life.
Odin’s Journey
- Stabilize - Odin was medivaced to the American Family Children’s Hospital for an immediate heart procedure called Balloon Atrial Septostomy. This procedure enlarged a hole between his upper pumping chambers to allow more oxygen-rich blood to get to his body.
- Monitor - An MRI identified that Odin also had a brain bleed. Uncertain of its cause, surgery was canceled and postponed. He remains in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. He’s on oxygen and medication to increase blood oxygen levels. The poor little guy has 8 wires and a breathing tube connected to him
- Build strength – Odin is a strong little guy fighting daily for his life. He needs three things to happen before the open-heart surgery can occur. 1)Gain weight – keep eating buddy! 2)Remain healthy. 3)Stop the brain bleed - already shrinking. Fight Odin fight!
Why we need your help
We never thought we’d be here asking for money in a million years. We’ve always had two jobs, volunteered our time, and tried really hard to be the best humans we can be. But as parents of two other children and as Small Business Owners, we know we cannot financially do this alone.
We anticipate about 40-60 days in the Intensive Care Unit, with many follow-up appointments over the next year.
Based on Odin’s name (God of war) – he’s got the grit to fight this battle and win. Please help us help Odin fight for his life. We’ll continue to update this page so you can follow his journey. We thank you in advance for your generosity and will look for ways to pay it forward.
With love,
Jeremy, Chelsea, Arya, Ezra, and Odin
Get to know baby Odin
Moments after Odin was born.
Trying to keep it together as they try to elevate his dangerously low oxygen levels.
Preparing Odin for transportation.
First-time mama is getting to feed him after all the trauma.
