Support Charli's NICU Journey and Family
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Support for Baby Charli’s NICU Journey
On July 1st, 2025 at 9:09am our entire world changed. Our daughter, Charli Jeanette Meissner made her early arrival at just 36 weeks and 2 days. She weighed 6lbs 12.3oz and 19.5 inches long. She wasn’t super tiny but she sure is a fighter! She is fighting every second in the NICU at Waukesha Memorial Hospital.
Our journey started very unexpectedly. On Monday June 30th, 2025, Katie went to her routine prenatal appointment and almost immediately was sent over to Labor and Delivery. We found out that Katie had preeclampsia with severe features. We were told that we were going to have the baby that day. Everything happened so fast. Katie was moved from triage to a normal room. She was immediately started on magnesium, antibiotics for strep b, steroids for arthritis, and fluids. Before we knew it, Katie was completely dilated and ready to push. She pushed for about 10-16 minutes. Little miss Charli got stuck and came out sideways, which caused a lot of swelling and bruising on Charli’s body.
As soon as Charli made her arrival it was noticed that she was completely blue, not breathing, and couldn’t keep her temperature up. There was no cry, nothing. She was immediately rushed over to the incubator to be resuscitated. Not even 2 minutes went by and she had to be rushed to the NICU. She was put on CPAP.
The Road Ahead of Us:
There is so much uncertainty at this point. We don’t know how long this journey will last before Charli can come home. Everyday there are new challenges but there are also achievements as well.
Since birth she has:
*Proven she is a fighter
*Got off the feeding tube and now feeding by bottle and doing really good
*Has gotten off CPAP and put on a nasal cannula
*Got off the nasal cannula, so no help breathing but then got put back on it, which has happened twice now
*Blood sugar levels are great
*Her bilirubin is super high, so she’s on light therapy
But she’s still a long road ahead of her. She can’t breathe on her own, learning how to regulate herself, and her jaundice. Everyday is critical.
How You Can Help:
With Charli’s early arrival, our world has turned upside down. Katie is still recovering from delivery and still experiencing complications due to hypertension and preeclampsia. Brandon is balancing life between the NICU, our other kiddos, work, etc.
We have been blessed with an incredible medical team for Charli, but with a NICU stay like this comes with overwhelming financial challenges…
*Medical Expenses: Our insurance will cover some but not all and more costs keep coming
*Lost Wages: Katie’s recovery and Charli’s NICU stay means time away from work for Brandon
*Travel: Visiting Charli every day, gas, meals, etc are becoming another challenge
At this point we aren’t sure what kind of future needs Charli will need.
We never thought this would happen. Please help us through a donation, a prayer, or sharing our story. Any help will allow us to stay by Charli’s side and provide the best possible care for her.
We also have three other little ones at home. They have been without their mommy and daddy for several days now. They are so confused and heartbroken. We are trying our best to manage seeing them and Charli.
To everyone who has already prayed, checked in, or offered support, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Charli is proof that miracles come in the smallest packages. We cannot wait for the day when we finally get to bring her home.
Please keep praying for our little fighter.
With love and gratitude,
Brandon and Katie Meissner
#CharliStrong #PreemieStrong #LittleFighter
On July 1st, 2025 at 9:09am our entire world changed. Our daughter, Charli Jeanette Meissner made her early arrival at just 36 weeks and 2 days. She weighed 6lbs 12.3oz and 19.5 inches long. She wasn’t super tiny but she sure is a fighter! She is fighting every second in the NICU at Waukesha Memorial Hospital.
Our journey started very unexpectedly. On Monday June 30th, 2025, Katie went to her routine prenatal appointment and almost immediately was sent over to Labor and Delivery. We found out that Katie had preeclampsia with severe features. We were told that we were going to have the baby that day. Everything happened so fast. Katie was moved from triage to a normal room. She was immediately started on magnesium, antibiotics for strep b, steroids for arthritis, and fluids. Before we knew it, Katie was completely dilated and ready to push. She pushed for about 10-16 minutes. Little miss Charli got stuck and came out sideways, which caused a lot of swelling and bruising on Charli’s body.
As soon as Charli made her arrival it was noticed that she was completely blue, not breathing, and couldn’t keep her temperature up. There was no cry, nothing. She was immediately rushed over to the incubator to be resuscitated. Not even 2 minutes went by and she had to be rushed to the NICU. She was put on CPAP.
The Road Ahead of Us:
There is so much uncertainty at this point. We don’t know how long this journey will last before Charli can come home. Everyday there are new challenges but there are also achievements as well.
Since birth she has:
*Proven she is a fighter
*Got off the feeding tube and now feeding by bottle and doing really good
*Has gotten off CPAP and put on a nasal cannula
*Got off the nasal cannula, so no help breathing but then got put back on it, which has happened twice now
*Blood sugar levels are great
*Her bilirubin is super high, so she’s on light therapy
But she’s still a long road ahead of her. She can’t breathe on her own, learning how to regulate herself, and her jaundice. Everyday is critical.
How You Can Help:
With Charli’s early arrival, our world has turned upside down. Katie is still recovering from delivery and still experiencing complications due to hypertension and preeclampsia. Brandon is balancing life between the NICU, our other kiddos, work, etc.
We have been blessed with an incredible medical team for Charli, but with a NICU stay like this comes with overwhelming financial challenges…
*Medical Expenses: Our insurance will cover some but not all and more costs keep coming
*Lost Wages: Katie’s recovery and Charli’s NICU stay means time away from work for Brandon
*Travel: Visiting Charli every day, gas, meals, etc are becoming another challenge
At this point we aren’t sure what kind of future needs Charli will need.
We never thought this would happen. Please help us through a donation, a prayer, or sharing our story. Any help will allow us to stay by Charli’s side and provide the best possible care for her.
We also have three other little ones at home. They have been without their mommy and daddy for several days now. They are so confused and heartbroken. We are trying our best to manage seeing them and Charli.
To everyone who has already prayed, checked in, or offered support, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Charli is proof that miracles come in the smallest packages. We cannot wait for the day when we finally get to bring her home.
Please keep praying for our little fighter.
With love and gratitude,
Brandon and Katie Meissner
#CharliStrong #PreemieStrong #LittleFighter
Organizer
Katie Meissner
Organizer
Slinger, WI