Support Scarlett Bass's Journey to Health

Hello, I am starting this fundraiser to help Matthew, Rose, Collin and baby Scarlett Bass.

Scarlett blessed the Bass family on June 8th, 2024. However; an unfortunate turn of events led her to being admitted into the Salem Hospital NICU. Once in the NICU, it was determined Scarlett needed a higher level of care and was transported to OHSU NICU in Portland, just over an hour away from their house.

Scarlett has been in the NICU for 2 months now. Scarlett has been diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis (NF1), Pierre Robin Sequence (PRS), and a form of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. During their stay at OHSU visitors were limited to 18 years or older, meaning Collin has not seen his baby sister since right after she was born.

Scarlett has no suck/swallow/gag reflexes. She can’t eat by mouth and is currently being fed by an NG tube from her nose to her stomach. Scarlett has undergone many tests to include, imaging, neurological, blood, genetics, heart, etc. Even with the above-mentioned diagnosis, medical staff still don’t know why she will not eat by mouth nor maintain a consistent suck/swallow.

Scarlett was initially set to receive a Mandibular Distraction surgery to attempt to fix her jaw. However; the lack of some sleep study results has put that on hold. Her next test is in November. Once that test is completed, if there is sufficient evidence for the surgery they will proceed.

Matt and Rose learned of a device in lieu if the surgery that is only offered at Stanford Hospital. Unfortunately, medical staff believe her PRS may not be the cause and the TMJ may be the culprit, meaning she is not a viable candidate for the device. Medical staff advised physical intervention and manipulation of the jaw has worked in a prior case however; there is an unknown time frame if/when it will work for Scarlett.

Doctors from the Stanford Hospital are willing to assist even though Scarlett is not an official patient of theirs as they believe the rarity of her symptoms is worth assisting and following up.

Scarlett is becoming stable enough to be sent home on her feeding tube and is working on getting out of the NICU. She will need necessary medical equipment to continue monitoring her vitals. She will be sent home with a suctioning device as she can not swallow strong enough so when she throws up any food/saliva she can obstruct her airway needing the immediate attention.

Due to Scarlett’s continued need for care, and the many unknowns ahead, Rose will be taking more time than anticipated off of work to care for Scarlett. Matt is hoping to return to work soon.

Any contributions made will be to assist the Bass family with the unknown medical expenses that may arise, travel (past and future) to/from Portland, and to assist with day-to-day expenses while Rose is out of work with an unknown return date as there is no definitive answer when Scarlett will start to thrive with her symptoms.

Matt and Rose have been very appreciative of all the assistance already provided and are forever grateful for what people have already done. This was all unexpected as there were no indications of any complications during the pregnancy and Scarlett was a full-term baby. We are welcoming your thoughts and prayers to continue for Scarlett and her battle of getting healthy and obtaining further answers. Thank you!