#ShelbyStrong

Hi, for those who do not know me, my name is Tamie Cluck. I'm setting up this go fund me page to help my son (Christopher), my daughter-in-law (Kourtnee), and their unborn baby, my grandbaby (Shelby). They are expecting a baby girl in August, and have a 4 yr old son, Bentley. However, at one of Kourtnee's anatomy scans, we learned that Shelby has some major health issues. She will need several surgeries shortly after birth. Please bare with me as I try to explain all this, the best I can.

Shelby will need a team of surgeons, including a cardiologist and a neurologist. Shelby has spina bifida, missing her 4th ventricle in her brain, has too much fluid in her brain, and has a hole in her heart. Because she is missing her 4th ventricle, the fluid in her brain is unable to go down her spinal cord correctly. At 31 weeks gestation, her head is measuring a couple weeks behind the rest of her body. Doctors say it could be because everything is getting squished, due to her spina bifida. Doctors may put a couple shunts in to help.

Doctors believe her spina bifida is in the lumbar region. There is a dimple-like structure (in which there used to be a fluid-filled sac). However, they believe the sac has ruptured, exposing some of her nerves. She will need surgery almost immediately after birth to correct this. Doctors can't say for certain if she will be able to walk, if her bladder and bowels will function properly, or if she will have a learning disability. They won't know any of this until she starts growing.

The correct term for her heart condition is called Tetralogy of Fallot. The structure that supports each side of the heart, has a hole. She will need open heart surgery to correct this with some type of patch. As of now, her pulmonary artery (the one that goes to the lungs) looks a little small, but not alarming at this point. They will re-check this in 3 weeks. And when she's born, if its still too small, she will need this repaired as well. At this time, the cardiologist is optimistic that she can hold off on surgery, until she's 3-6 months old. It will all depend on how she is doing when she is born.

At this point, we are at least able to breathe a little sigh of relief that there is hope she will make it. Up until this point, we didn't know. And despite all these health issues, she is still growing. Has 10 fingers, 10 toes, a cute little nose, and weighs about 3 pounds.

As if this isn't enough to worry about, Kourtnee will have to deliver in San Francisco, where they have a Children's Hospital equipped to handle Shelby's care. They currently live in Reno, NV (4 1/2 hours away). The doctors want her to be in San Francisco by her 36th week gestation, as a precaution ( in case she would go into labor early), and to meet the team of doctors and run more tests. So there is not only medical expenses, but lodging, food, and travel expenses. Now, insurance will cover most of the medical expenses, but not all. And we do not know how long Shelby will have to be in the hospital in San Francisco - so this would be a lot of extra expenses. Doctors have mentioned the possibility of the Ronald McDonald house, but we won't know if there will be room until later on. Doctors are also hoping Kourtnee can make it to her 39th week. At that point, she will have a scheduled C-section.

Christopher will only be able to travel to San Francisco a couple times prior to the birth, due to work. Christopher and Kourtnee moved to the Reno area in February, where he hired on with the Union Pacific RR. They are also currently living with us (his parents), while looking for a home. I plan on going with Kourtnee, and Bentley, to San Francisco, to be with her for support and help.

We will never know, or fully understand, the reason this is happening. But we do know, that Shelby WILL be loved and given the best care possible. She has already proven to be stubborn - so I know she will be a little fighter!

We aren't ones to ask for help often, as our pride gets in the way of that. However, we felt we needed to set our pride aside, for Shelby. So if you are in a position monetarily, to help Christopher, Kourtnee, and Shelby - we would be forever grateful. Thank you!!