Donation protected
Ashley and Stephen live north of Stony Plain outside Edmonton, AB Canada. There little family started out in 2002 when they met working in a pet store. Together they built a simple but very happy life with their dogs and a few close friends. In 2018 they decided to expand their family and were beyond excited to find out they were pregnant. Ashley struggled throughout the pregnancy, like may woman, soon discovering her IBS would be an issue and that she was at a high risk for developing preeclampsia. A couple scares along the way led to a Harmony test confirming they were expecting a little girl. At 27 weeks Ashley was also diagnosed with gestational diabetes and she was unable to continue working full time. The preeclampsia screening did have one small upside and they were able to watch their little “bean” grow every few weeks via ultrasound.
In Steve's on words:
"On Friday (March 30) complications were observed on our monitoring ultrasound for preeclampsia and the doctor was not super happy with the results. She advised that one of two things was about to happen, either things progress slowly, we remain pregnant, but attend to monitor every few days or we could have major issues fairly quickly (over a couple a couple weeks). She figured we were good to go for a while but booked us a follow up ultrasound on Monday. Early Sunday morning she (Ashley) was in a great deal of GI pain and seeing large spots in her vision. We decided we better get things checked out and got to the hospital about 830am. Ashley was on watch so they saw us almost immediately. Urine tests and blood work was obtained and an ultrasound ordered. That put the three of us to about 1015-1030am. It was about halfway through the ultrasound that other test results started coming back and the steady stream of Doctors and specialists started showing up. Although some of her symptoms didn’t quite fit the preeclampsia mold it appeared Ashley was basically in kidney failure, her platelets tanked and poor bean in distress. Due to the high risks involved Ashley needed to be put under for the emergency c-section meaning I got to wait outside. She was gone to the surgery table by about 1200 and I was standing with our little bean at about 1245.
Bean came out swinging at 2lbs 10oz but some of that was swelling weight due to mom’s condition. She is doing as well as can be expected; in the NICU likely till her actual due date in mid June. Ashley’s preeclampsia has been described as extremely fast onset and extreme in general, but still not quite “right”. She has been in the natal recovery unit since due to the extreme high blood pressure, kidney issues, the spot in her vision, and other issues with her blood work.
I kidnapped her (Ashley) yesterday (Tuesday) while the porter was MIA after an eye specialist appointment in the hospital and took her to meet her baby, since they hadn’t been able to meet. It caused an immediate 360 and suddenly it was all worth it for her. She was motivated enough to climb out of bed late yesterday on her own and walk most of the way to see her again. We decided on Courtney Brynn for a name because I’m told Courtney Master of the Universe was “inappropriate”. "
*Update*
As of today (April 6) Ashley and Courtney have both had many small wins but also a few setbacks. Ashley in particular has experienced many complications and has now been diagnosed with TTP (thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura) a very rare and complex blood coagulation disease. She was moved to the ICU in a flurry and requires plasmapheresis via dialysis to basically replace all her plasma. She is not considered high risk now that she is receiving treatment and we are extremely grateful that she can still see Courtney and that her meds are not affecting her milk.
Baby Courtney has had a few days better than others but is doing very well for being here so early. Dad and her nurses quickly noticed she is fighsty as all get up. I am really hopeful she will be ready to some home for my Birthday at the end of May. We are also super lucky that the hospital has the option for Ashley to remain at the hospital with Courtney once she is discharged (which we are hopeful will be the end of next week).
With baby and mom in the hospital Steve has been driving the over hour each way drive everyday to support his girls and then get home to take care of their dogs as well. We are incredibly lucky to have the medical expenses covered in Alberta but we are asking for any little bit you can spare to help out with transportation, parking, loss of wages, meals, etc. Stephen and Ashley also wanted me to add that any funds remaining after Courtney's first birthday will be donated back to the Stollery Childrens Hospital NICU to help support others like her.
They also wanted to thank all those who have supported and continued to support them through this...adventure..? With a special thanks to Kristi and Cory for this idea and creating and managing the page.
In Steve's on words:
"On Friday (March 30) complications were observed on our monitoring ultrasound for preeclampsia and the doctor was not super happy with the results. She advised that one of two things was about to happen, either things progress slowly, we remain pregnant, but attend to monitor every few days or we could have major issues fairly quickly (over a couple a couple weeks). She figured we were good to go for a while but booked us a follow up ultrasound on Monday. Early Sunday morning she (Ashley) was in a great deal of GI pain and seeing large spots in her vision. We decided we better get things checked out and got to the hospital about 830am. Ashley was on watch so they saw us almost immediately. Urine tests and blood work was obtained and an ultrasound ordered. That put the three of us to about 1015-1030am. It was about halfway through the ultrasound that other test results started coming back and the steady stream of Doctors and specialists started showing up. Although some of her symptoms didn’t quite fit the preeclampsia mold it appeared Ashley was basically in kidney failure, her platelets tanked and poor bean in distress. Due to the high risks involved Ashley needed to be put under for the emergency c-section meaning I got to wait outside. She was gone to the surgery table by about 1200 and I was standing with our little bean at about 1245.
Bean came out swinging at 2lbs 10oz but some of that was swelling weight due to mom’s condition. She is doing as well as can be expected; in the NICU likely till her actual due date in mid June. Ashley’s preeclampsia has been described as extremely fast onset and extreme in general, but still not quite “right”. She has been in the natal recovery unit since due to the extreme high blood pressure, kidney issues, the spot in her vision, and other issues with her blood work.
I kidnapped her (Ashley) yesterday (Tuesday) while the porter was MIA after an eye specialist appointment in the hospital and took her to meet her baby, since they hadn’t been able to meet. It caused an immediate 360 and suddenly it was all worth it for her. She was motivated enough to climb out of bed late yesterday on her own and walk most of the way to see her again. We decided on Courtney Brynn for a name because I’m told Courtney Master of the Universe was “inappropriate”. "
*Update*
As of today (April 6) Ashley and Courtney have both had many small wins but also a few setbacks. Ashley in particular has experienced many complications and has now been diagnosed with TTP (thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura) a very rare and complex blood coagulation disease. She was moved to the ICU in a flurry and requires plasmapheresis via dialysis to basically replace all her plasma. She is not considered high risk now that she is receiving treatment and we are extremely grateful that she can still see Courtney and that her meds are not affecting her milk.
Baby Courtney has had a few days better than others but is doing very well for being here so early. Dad and her nurses quickly noticed she is fighsty as all get up. I am really hopeful she will be ready to some home for my Birthday at the end of May. We are also super lucky that the hospital has the option for Ashley to remain at the hospital with Courtney once she is discharged (which we are hopeful will be the end of next week).
With baby and mom in the hospital Steve has been driving the over hour each way drive everyday to support his girls and then get home to take care of their dogs as well. We are incredibly lucky to have the medical expenses covered in Alberta but we are asking for any little bit you can spare to help out with transportation, parking, loss of wages, meals, etc. Stephen and Ashley also wanted me to add that any funds remaining after Courtney's first birthday will be donated back to the Stollery Childrens Hospital NICU to help support others like her.
They also wanted to thank all those who have supported and continued to support them through this...adventure..? With a special thanks to Kristi and Cory for this idea and creating and managing the page.
Organizer
Kristi Lundquist
Organizer
Okotoks, AB