Support for Baby Luke

We, Randy and Debbie are organizing this fundraiser on behalf of our son Shawn and his wife, Elizabeth Hetzel for their son and our grandson, Luke Alan Hetzel. We would like to raise funds to assist with Luke’s medical bills, special formula, equipment to assist with breathing and private duty nurses.

Luke was born on June 13, 2021, at 27 weeks, weighing 2lbs 6oz and 13 inches. Luke came into the world crying and breathing on his own. The doctor said he was a best-case scenario for a 27-week-old baby, but he did tell us to prepare for a long road ahead in the NICU.

Here is their story...

Elizabeth and Shawn Hetzel, a family of 5 were expecting a baby due September 13, 2021. This being Elizabeth’s fourth pregnancy and Shawn’s third baby, they were very excited! Logan being the oldest at 15 almost 16 years old. Annabeth, the only daughter, at 5 almost 6 years old. Aiden, the youngest 3 soon to be 4 years old. Everyone thrilled about the baby boy coming!

June 7, 2021

Elizabeth, 26 weeks pregnant, had an OBGYN appointment. The doctor told Elizabeth that she was leaking amniotic fluid and she was being admitted to the hospital and will be having the baby. At this point all she could think about was this is not how it’s supposed to go. It’s too early! As the nurse wheeled her to the hospital Elizabeth was talking to Shawn. Filling him in on what was happening and that he needed to get to the hospital asap! Elizabeth was admitted to Labor and Delivery and started on magnesium and steroids for the baby’s lung and neurological development.

June 8, 2021

They moved Elizabeth to the antepartum care unit or ACU. Doctors told Elizabeth and Shawn that she wouldn’t be leaving the hospital until she had her baby. Since she had a placenta rupture that leaves a chance for infection. Goal was for Elizabeth to stay pregnant and get to 35 weeks or longer if possible. Potentially a 3 month stay at the hospital which scared them.

June 10, 2021

Today Shawn brought Elizabeth some things from home to help make the stay not as hard. Annabeth and Aiden drew pictures as well as picking out a flower bouquet for Elizabeth. Two of their close neighbors also stopped by to see Elizabeth and brought her stuff as well. They talked and laughed for a couple hours before leaving. Elizabeth felt more at ease seeing and talking to them in person again. Not realizing just how much she has missed them.

June 12, 2021

Today was Annabeth’s birthday, turning 6 years old, and it was very hard on Elizabeth to not be there. This is the FIRST time EVER for her to be missing one of her kid’s birthdays. Of course, she was able to facetime and chat with the kids and sing Happy Birthday. Nonetheless Annabeth had a great birthday and was happy.

June 13, 2021

Shawn brought their two kids up to the hospital to see Elizabeth. Due to hospital guidelines with Covid-19, anyone under 18 years old is not able to go into the hospital. So, they were able to sit outside and eat lunch together. Elizabeth was able to have short periods of time outside. After an hour Shawn took the kids home, Elizabeth was wheeled back to her room. Throughout the rest of the day Elizabeth realized she was having more cramping, her nurse said she should eat dinner. Maybe relaxing and eating something will help. At 6pm Elizabeth ate dinner and was having sharper cramps. She called her nurse into the room and told her she was still cramping and positive they were contractions. The nurse put the monitors on, one for the baby and one for the contractions. Elizabeth was having contractions. The doctor came in and checked her cervix, seeing that she was 2-3 cm dilated. As the doctor gently pushed on Elizabeth’s belly asking if that hurt at all. Yes! It hurts. The doctor said that is a sign of an infection forming and the safest thing to do is to deliver the baby. Scared out of her mind she called her husband telling him he needed to come back to the hospital, the baby is coming! Elizabeth got moved back to Labor and Delivery and started on magnesium once again. The doctor and nurses had a close eye on Elizabeth and the baby as she labored. The parents slept on and off throughout the night waiting for the baby’s arrival.

June 14, 2021

In the late afternoon baby Luke was born on June 14, 2021 at 2.6 lbs. NICU Doctors said he looked great for 27 weeks but he would have a long road ahead of him in the NICU.

At 6 weeks old Luke had to have a tracheostomy done to help him breathe better due to issues with his airway. At this time, Luke was getting weak from trying to breath on his own, so he was placed on a ventilator to assist with breathing.

Due to stomach issues Luke was placed on a special formula that is fed through a feeding tube through his nose to his stomach.

Luke was also diagnosed with chronic lung disease due to the length of time being on the ventilator.

In August 2021 we learned that Luke has bad acid reflux and will require a surgery called Nissen Fundoplication to help prevent the reflux and allow his esophagus to heal. He will also need to have a G-tube put in so he can get the nutrition he needs since he currently cannot be bottle fed. Surgeries for both were done on September 16, 2021, and Luke is doing good.

Luke has been in the NICU going on 3 months now, he has been growing and is up to 7lbs 4oz as of September 17, 2021.

We are hoping Luke will be coming home soon but he will require Private Duty nurses at home potentially 24/7 for a while as someone has to be around him at all hours to monitor him, as well as a ventilator and other equipment installed in the home for his care.

We all appreciate all prayers, donations and support during this time for our family! At this time, we don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but will take the small wins at this point as Luke is proving to be a fighter!

Updates to come. You can follow this page as we will be keeping updates posted.

Thank You All and God Bless You!

Randy & Debbie Hetzel (aka: Pop and Nana)