Our Warrior Kade!

Proud parents Ray and Jamie Mansell were blessed on August 18, 2019, when Baby Kade Mansell was born four weeks early weighing 6lbs 1oz. Kade was born with a birth defect called Gastroschisis. 
 
Gastroschisis is a birth defect of the abdominal (belly) wall. The baby’s intestines are found growing outside of the baby’s body in the amniotic fluid, exiting through a hole beside the belly button.
 
Just minutes after birth, Kade underwent surgery to put his intestines back into his belly and close the hole.
 
Kade is still in NICU and unable to go home with his Mom, Dad and loving brother.  Attempts to try and feed Kade were unsuccessful.  Tubes are still in place to drain his stomach (bile) and nutrition is received through PICC line/IV TPN and lipids. 
 
Additional tests were ran this week and now we may be planning for an additional surgery.  We are hoping that there is no blockage or atresias.  They put dye into Kade’s system to check for blockages.  The dye made it to the stomach and a small trickle made it to the intestines.  Now we sit and wait.  Maybe in a few weeks we can try to bottle feed Kade again and hopefully his body digests it.     
 
The Staff at the University of Michigan have been outstanding and go above and beyond.  We are very fortunate to be here and receive such great care.   
 
Mom stays at the NICU with Kade and Dad tries to spend as much time as possible there too.  Currently, Dad is the only one working and is traveling to and from the hospital (approx. 1.5-2 hours each way) while caring for big brother at home.

This roller coaster has been very emotional for everyone involved!  We have had happy moments, a few scary moments, good and bad news.  Happy tears and sad tears!  The only thing we can do is take it one day at a time.  This is going to be a long road with a lot of unknown turns! 
 
Family and friends have asked if there is anything they can do to help.  So, we decided to open a go fund me page.  This will help to deal with the huge financial stress and help to absorb costs for travel expenses, co-pays, deductibles and post care. 
 
Kade is an amazing strong and precious little boy who is fighting to get better every day! Kade has a battle ahead of him.  We ask that you keep Kade and our family in your thoughts and prayers!