Support for Baby Elijah and the Sims Family

Update from Elijah’s mama.

Ya'll pray for our son. We're back in TC Thompson via ambulance transfer. In the PICU this time. It's crazy bc he was doing SO GOOD. At least we thought. Today is his due date and here we are. They aren't sure what's wrong with him. He's got a fever. Bilirubin is elevated. He's very yellow. More than he should be for his levels. He's retaining co2 and they don't know why. Also having retractable breathing and apnea. They took his blood gas levels. They're elevated. They put him on oxygen and checked blood gases again after a while. It was still headed in the wrong direction so they put him on high flow oxygen at a pretty high rate. Re checked blood gases. They haven't improved much. We're praying we can avoid a c pap or bi pap or a ventilator! so prayers that goes down and he starts breathing better. They are concerned it could be bacterial meningitis or something else bacterial but they once again tried a lumbar puncture TWICE, back to back, to get spinal fluid to test and were both, again, unsuccessful, point getting blood. Lots of it. They may try again in the morning with guidance from machines, x ray actually, I think they said, to try to find better placement easier to hopefully be able to get the sample. They do have him started on broad spectrum antibiotics to cover meningitis and a range of other things including UTI. They tried, once again to get a sterile urine sample by catheter but once again have been unable to get the catheter placed. He could possibly have a urethral stricture, i think she said. They will have urology come in tomorrow for a closer look. They also want to have neurology come in and make sure the sleepiness isn't due to something neurological. They have done an echocardiogram, and an ultrasound of his soft spot to check for brain bleeds. Those came back good. He does still have the small heart murmur. They did an ultrasound of liver and kidneys. One side around one of his kidneys is swollen. They want to make sure there's nothing genetic going on with his liver or anything. He's maxed out with how much blood he can lose/ they can take for the day (hours ago actually). They said they are trying to piece things together but they just don't make sense to them. I'm sure there is more but my brain is so full of all this stuff I can't think of everything. Ya'll please pray hard for our baby. He's really gone thru it these 23 days he's been alive. He's been stuck with IVs and heel pricks and lumbar punctures and attempted catheters so many times I've lost count at this point. Keep us in your prayers as well as this has been so hard to go thru. And Mila. When she found out we were being transferred back here she absolutely LOST IT screaming "No!! Please!! Not again!!!" and all we could do was apologize and sob with her, because she has to be separated from us again. We have no idea how long we'll be here but they did say once he's well enough to leave PICU, he'll be downgraded back to a regular peds room like we were in before. (This PICU room has ONE reclining chair for me and Jordan to share and take turns sleeping, which neither of us have done in probably 36 hrs, give or take)And if u can, please share our go fund me again and tag ppl so it reaches farther. We need help! Jordan is supposed to go back to work Monday and there's just no way with Elijah being here and Mila being with family and me being unable to drive as I'm still trying to heal from my c section, not even 4 weeks out. This is an absolute nightmare I wouldn't wish on anyone!! If you've read this far, thank you and please pray!

Edited to add: he also has thrush. And he's npo so nothing oral to try to keep him from aspirating since he's having a hard time with choking bc of his breathing difficulties. May have to go back on the feeding tube when he can have stuff orally again. For now he's back on sugar water via IV to keep his sugar, electrolytes and calories up.

Hi, my name is Jamie, and I’m the sister-in-law to Jordan and Britny Sims. I’m reaching out on behalf of their sweet family as they face an incredibly difficult time.

On June 16th, 2025, Jordan and Britny welcomed their precious baby boy, Elijah. After being released from the hospital that following Wednesday, they were excited to bring him home. But just one day later, on Thursday, June 19th, their world was turned upside down when they couldn’t get Elijah to wake up for a feeding.

They rushed him to the hospital in Fort Payne, Alabama, where doctors immediately recognized the seriousness of his condition. Elijah’s heart rate, oxygen, blood sugar levels, and body temperature were all dangerously low. He was quickly transferred by ambulance to TC Thompson Children’s Hospital in Chattanooga, where the incredible medical team worked tirelessly to stabilize him.

Elijah is now in more stable condition and has been given a NG-tube to help ensure he receives enough calories to gain weight and continue his recovery. He still has a long road ahead, with at least four more days expected in the hospital — and possibly more.

Britny and Jordan have both had to take time off work to be by Elijah’s side. As Jordan prepares to return to work, we’re hoping to raise enough money to allow him to extend his leave and be home longer to support Britny and Elijah during this critical time. Funds raised will also help cover hospital meals, travel, bills, and basic living expenses while they focus on what matters most — their son’s health.

Anything you can give, whether it’s a donation or simply a prayer, means the world to our family. We are deeply grateful for your support and ask that you keep Elijah, his parents, and the doctors caring for him in your thoughts and prayers.

With love and thanks,

Jamie (Sister-in-law to Jordan and Britny Sims)