Support Allison's Medical Recovery Journey

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Kimberly Ballard and Allison Ballard are organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Allison Ballard.

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Hi my name is Kim Ballard. I'm reaching out on behalf of my daughter Allison, our wonderful son in-law, Cesar and our sweet new grandson Dante. Please consider helping them get across the finish line of this medical marathon journey.

Our entire family was eagerly awaiting the birth of our first grandbaby, Dante. He made his entrance very quickly on December 22, 2023.

As you read their story, Allison's journey, please keep in mind all this happened in the context of just having a baby and the separation between a new mama and her baby boy.

All went well the first four and half weeks after Dante arrived but then Allison had to have emergency surgery, a cholecystectomy.

A Good Day = Dante Visit:

That was the beginning of a roller coaster ride that we pray will end May 30th. Since her initial emergency surgery she has had one complication after another. A total of four ER visits, five hospital admissions, a trip by ambulance to San Francisco, an hour from home, for an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram(ECRP) and then a procedure to remove a stone from the pancreatic duct. The procedure was very complicated and as result she developed acute pancreatitis. Allison then ended up on a telemetry floor where her vitals were monitored for two and a half weeks. She experienced tachycardia, hypoxemia, fevers and acute pain. She was unable eat or drink for most of that time and was heavily medicated. At times the amount of morphine she needed to manage her pain caused hallucinations and her memory surrounding this time is limited.

Keep in mind she had a newborn at home and was parenting via Facetime and short visits. Like the good Mama she is, she continued to pump to keep her milk supply so that when this ordeal ended she could start nursing her baby again. Because of the high doses of medication she was on she had to "Pump and Dump". On top of excruciating pain, these were very difficult days emotionally, missing her little baby boy who was now two months old. Snuggles were often limited but there was an occasional "supervised" nap.

Countless blood draws, bags of ringer solution, x-rays, CTs and MRIs filled her days. She was fighting hard to get back to her new little family. We were so happy when her lab numbers looked good, she could keep food, albeit liquid and soft foods down and her pain was managed with oral painkillers. Unfortunately, our joy was short-lived.

After only three days home with her baby, Allison was back in the ER with intolerable pain and nausea. A CT revealed a very large pancreatic pseudocyst. She was once again admitted to the hospital and because of her inability to eat a NG tube was put in place to provide needed nutrients.

Unfortunately, she was unable to tolerate the NG tube. And although having to once again endured more X-rays, CTs and ultrasound guided IV lines, she still continued pumping and trying to be the best mom ever from a hospital bed. Her mothering was limited to short visits with lots of snuggles and kisses when her pain would allow.

On the home front, Cesar was doing an amazing job being a first time dad caring for his baby boy, trying to keep up with work and making sure Dante and Allison were together as much as possible in the hospital. We are so thankful that Dante's other set of grandparents were lovingly caring for Dante too. It was a great comfort to Allison to know her baby was being loved and well cared for.

I had the privilege, along with her dad, of being at the hospital to advocate for Allison almost 24/7. After almost three weeks, celebrating both Valentine's Day and then her birthday from a hospital bed she was still unable to eat solids without extreme pain and nausea. The pseudocyst had become so large that it was pressing on multiple organs including an impingement of her stomach. The pain was so great that at times it was impossible for her to hold her sweet baby boy. The medical team decided that a TPN feeding line was necessary because she wasn't getting adequate nutrition . A PIC line was established so Alli was now hooked to a bag of nutrients for twelve hours a day.

Happy Birthday Alli!

Best Gift Ever!

Hospital Play Time with Mr. Beet and Dante.

Miraculously, after several days of finally getting IV nutrients she was able to take liquids and then progressed to very light soft foods. We were thrilled when she was able to be discharged without the need for TPN. Even though she was discharged, pain was an issue as well as low grade fevers. Her body wasn't able to regulate her temperature making sleeping difficult. Her body was also trying to recover from pregnancy and giving birth. We learned prior to discharged that the treatment for the pseudocyst was time, weeks of time, to wait until it formed enough so that a stent could be placed through the stomach wall into the cyst to drain. She continued with pain, nausea and temperature regulating issues. The type and amount of pain medication needed prevented her from caring for Dante alone. The procedure finally took place in San Francisco and it hasn't been one and done. Once the stent was placed she has been happy to be home but hasn't been able to resume all her "mommy" duties. Since the initial stent placement she has had to undergo three more procedures all involving anesthesia and trips to San Francisco including an overnight in the hospital because of a high fever. Lab work indicated that the cyst had become infected and rounds of antibiotics were necessary. With each procedure she has felt better and has had been able to have some mommy son connecting time.

We will be thankful and are praying that her May 15th CT will indicate that the cyst has resolved. Once that happens, one last trip to San Francisco and the stents will be removed May 30. The finish line is in sight.

Thank you! We have been so blessed by all the support and especially the prayer support.

This has been a time of trusting. First and foremost we are so very thankful for God's faithfulness in continuing to restore Allison's health. Dante is now four months old and although his mama isn't 100% she is home to love on him. She is doing all that she is physically able to do with Dante including long stroller walks.

Why the "GoFundMe"? Why Now? To be honest, when this journey started back in January we had no idea that it would turn into lengthy hospital stays and multiple procedures. Allison has not been able to return to work and she does not have paid maternity leave. Cesar is self employed and has had to sacrifice work in order to care for his wife and new born son. Insurance costs, deductibles, co-pays, loss of income and all the unexpected expenditures are now becoming the challenge even as the medical challenges thankfully seem to be finally coming to an end. The financial pressures have continued to mount even in the midst of literally fighting so hard to get healthy.

Any gift amount will be a blessing and so very appreciated by Allison and Cesar.

As they approach and cross that finish line later this month to do so without the burden of mounting medical costs and other expenses would be just an added bonus.

Thanks for taking the time to read about Allison, Cesar and Dante's journey. And thank you for your continued prayers.