Hello, I appreciate you taking the time to read this story. I am hoping to help my sister with her new baby.

Owen Eugene Krueger was born 3 weeks early on December 27. On December 28, he was transferred to Sanford Children’s Hospital in Fargo by air due to a pneumothorax.

Shortly after he was born, he was having some difficulty breathing. He was placed on a CPAP. By later Thursday morning, he was having increased difficulty breathing and that’s when they did an x-ray. The x-ray showed pneumothorax - his right lung had collapsed. The doctor came in and told Tyler and Sara that Owen needed to be immediately transferred to Sanford Children’s Hospital in Fargo and they were on their way to get him via Air.

Tyler and Sara stayed with Owen until the flight team came and while they started their exam. They attempted to relieve the air in his chest with a needle, but that was unsuccessful. They intubated him and inserted a chest tube prior to leaving for Fargo. Sara’s doctor discharged her immediately so that Tyler and her could meet Owen in Fargo as soon as he arrived.

They did an x-ray immediately and it showed that the chest tube was doing its job. The plan was for him to remain sedated overnight and reassess in the morning.

Since then, a lot has happened:

⁃ he is back to breathing independently on room air - no machines

⁃ His chest tube was removed

⁃ His IV’s were discontinued

⁃ He’s starting to learn how to bottle feed

His bilirubin levels are slightly elevated and his blood sugar drops occasionally. He hasn’t figured out the bottle feeding enough to go home.

Until they get these things resolved, Owen will remain in the NICU with Tyler and Sara by his side. They don’t know how long this will all take - it’s a wait and see situation.

Lodging is covered thanks to The Ronald McDonald House, but Tyler and Sara are paying for meals/basic needs out of pocket and they don’t know what their medical expenses will be at the end of this; airlift to Fargo from Alexandria, NICU care, plus the birth expenses from Alomere are going to add up fast. Sara is on short-term disability leave so is only receiving a portion of her regular paycheck.

Any amount you are willing or able to contribute is greatly appreciated. If you aren’t able to, sharing this would mean a lot. Thank you!