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Our family is facing an unexpected and overwhelming challenge as our 3-year-old son, Ethan, battles a terminal illness called Menkes. Ethan is a true warrior—despite being mostly immobile for his age, he is a spunky, happy, and smiley kiddo who brings light to everyone around him. Nine days ago, Ethan was diagnosed with a UTI and, after a rapid decline, was rushed to Saint Francis Children’s Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There, he endured a terrifying fever-induced seizure, required intubation, and underwent emergency procedures to stabilize him. Thankfully, he is no longer intubated, but he remains in the PICU as doctors work to address complications with his bladder and stabilize his electrolytes. He will soon undergo surgery to install a suprapubic tube and further investigate his urinary tract for any additional issues.
This crisis has turned our world upside down. I am staying with Ethan full-time in the hospital, unable to work, while my husband does his best to keep our cottage bakery, Terran Baked Goods, running back home. We live 1.5 hours away from the hospital, and the travel, combined with general utility bills and food, has put a significant strain on our finances. We are grateful to a friend for lending us a car, which has been a huge help, but we know we’ll need a reliable vehicle of our own soon. On top of our regular bills, we’re working toward that goal so we don’t overextend the generosity of others. Our 7-year-old daughter and adult children are also feeling the emotional toll of being apart during this difficult time. We’ve managed to keep the bakery open at our home base on Fridays and Saturdays, but haven’t been able to get product on the shelves at the local stores as usual. We remain hopeful that this is just a hiccup in Ethan’s journey. Despite the challenges, we are deeply appreciative of the support we’ve received and are holding onto faith and gratitude.
We are asking for help to cover our essential living expenses and travel costs while we focus on Ethan’s care. If you’d like to support us in other ways, our bakery remains open on Fridays and Saturdays, and we hope to return to supplying local stores soon. Sharing our story, sending prayers, and positive energy all mean the world to us. Thank you for standing with us and helping our family stay strong for Ethan.
This crisis has turned our world upside down. I am staying with Ethan full-time in the hospital, unable to work, while my husband does his best to keep our cottage bakery, Terran Baked Goods, running back home. We live 1.5 hours away from the hospital, and the travel, combined with general utility bills and food, has put a significant strain on our finances. We are grateful to a friend for lending us a car, which has been a huge help, but we know we’ll need a reliable vehicle of our own soon. On top of our regular bills, we’re working toward that goal so we don’t overextend the generosity of others. Our 7-year-old daughter and adult children are also feeling the emotional toll of being apart during this difficult time. We’ve managed to keep the bakery open at our home base on Fridays and Saturdays, but haven’t been able to get product on the shelves at the local stores as usual. We remain hopeful that this is just a hiccup in Ethan’s journey. Despite the challenges, we are deeply appreciative of the support we’ve received and are holding onto faith and gratitude.
We are asking for help to cover our essential living expenses and travel costs while we focus on Ethan’s care. If you’d like to support us in other ways, our bakery remains open on Fridays and Saturdays, and we hope to return to supplying local stores soon. Sharing our story, sending prayers, and positive energy all mean the world to us. Thank you for standing with us and helping our family stay strong for Ethan.
Organizer
