Stella Rae's Hope Fund

Alex and Tami welcomed their beautiful baby girl, Stella Rae, into their family on May 11, 2023 at 11:15 a.m. at St. Luke’s hospital. She was 6 pounds and 18 inches long.

Upon her arrival, Stella’s heart had stopped, going 12 minutes without oxygen before being resuscitated. After being resuscitated, intubated and placed on a ventilator, she was rushed to the highest level of NICU at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. All of this occurred before her family was able to meet her. Once there, she was placed on a cooling pad to induce hypothermia to limit organ damage. She was diagnosed with severe Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE). Damage had been done to her kidneys, liver and brain. She was also diagnosed with severe metabolic acidosis and elevated liver enzymes. Her blood platelet counts were extremely low so she had received numerous platelet and blood plasma transfusions.

After the 72 hours of hypothermia treatment was completed, she was warmed back up to normal body temperature. No seizures were observed via electroencephalography during this time. She then received an MRI to evaluate the extent of the damage to her brain. The MRI showed swelling and scar tissue from the hypoxic ischemic injury, but it was also discovered at this time that she had suffered a stroke in utero effecting the left side of her brain. Five days after she was born, Stella was finally allowed to be held by her family.

Stella was in the NICU for just over one month recovering. She needed various tests, therapies, and a feeding tube to help her gain weight. With the help of therapies, Stella was able to begin eating and progressed to no longer needing the feeding tube. She was also provided with splints for both hands and feet to encourage proper positioning. Stella is now home and has improved tremendously. She is currently off all machine support. She is still receiving physical, speech, and occupational therapy and will need continued support as she grows. The future remains uncertain for all other levels of care.

We would like for Alex and Tami to be able to give Stella all the support necessary without the worry of the financial burden. Please consider donating to help cover medical costs and any costs incurred for ongoing and future treatment. Donations are greatly appreciated and will be used to help support Alex and Tami through this difficult period while they adjust to their new life with Stella.