On April 17th 2025, I went into the ER because I was in my 8th month of pregnancy and my baby wasn’t moving. After several tests and scans the OBGYN on call, made a decision. It was safest for both baby and I if they performed an emergency C-Section.

I was scared to death of course. I am 39 years old, I have MS as well as diabetes and baby’s heart rate was very abnormal as was mine. This is most certainly not the way that my husband and I had planned to have our baby.

So they did all the prep and my husband gowned up and we went in to deliver our baby.

We heard him cry and it was of course, a blessing! And now I also know it was a miracle! Dany and I were only able to hold little Erick for a few minutes before they rushed him off to the NICU. He weighed 4lbs 6 ounces.

After all the tests were completed came the news that no parent wants to hear. Erick was born with multiple birth defects. And although we knew those words were awful to hear, it most certainly did not detour us from wanting to be his mommy and daddy. We love our baby!

Erick was born without the bottom part of his spine. In its place, is a teratoma tumor. He was born with a defective bicuspid valve of his heart. He was born witht a club foot. He also has a tumor on his brain and his lungs are not fully developed. So he was put on oxygen and also a feeding tube. We are in for quite a journey.

They released me a week later and going home without my baby was heart wrenching. He was so tiny! I have been pumping my breasts each and every day and taking it up to the NICU. And with each passing day, Erick is gaining weight! He is still on oxygen and feeding tube but now eating from the bottle as well. That is great news! And… They have begun the weekly casting of his foot.

After all has been said and done, Erick is going to need multiple surgeries and many doctor visits. We need to see several types of doctors weekly. Cardiologists, neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, and so many more. Some here, some in California and some in Las Vegas, that we know of as of right now.

I will not be able to go back to work as Erick will need round the clock care. My husband has taken on extra shifts as a house painter and has been working 7 days a week since Erick was born. The last thing we need, is to lose our home.

We have set a goal on here to just keep us going until we can figure something else out. Until then…we could sure use some extra help.

We will be grateful for whatever comes our way!

Thank you for your open hearts and for sharing in our journey!

Sincerely,

Jessica