Help Baby August With Medical Bills & His Journey

My name is Shamika Higgins. On May 16th, 2024, I gave birth to my precious son August Pinkston. He weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces. 

 

When I was 23 weeks pregnant I found out in an anatomy scan that my baby had a cyst/mass in his chest. I was sent from AtlantiCare to Cooper Hospital immediately. The Doctors informed me at that time that this mass often shrinks or becomes bigger and that I should have continuous care at AtlantiCare for the time being.

 

During my 28-week scan, they noticed the mass had grown and was pushing against August's heart. AtlantiCare then informed that I will be referred to children’s hospital for the rest of my pregnancy. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia informed me that the mass is known as a Lymphatic Malformation, a birth defect. A Lymphatic Malformation is a clump of abnormal lymph vessels that forms a growing disorganized spongy cluster of cysts. This malformation is located in between 2 of August's organs; his right lung and his heart. 

 

I delivered August at 38 weeks via C-section. The C-section was aggressive having my uterus cut horizontally and diagonally due to scar tissues from a previous C-section. I developed Pre-eclampsia after having the baby which led to a 7 night stay in the hospital. My son was taken to the NICU and was on a CPAP machine when he was born. August was supposed to get Sclerotherapy treatment for three days but only lasted two because the mass ruptured and the medicine got into his chest cavity. This led to him needing a chest tube and two drains. Currently, August needs two x-rays per day to monitor the fluids and air pockets. Since August has trouble breathing on his own he needs oxygen. And help with breathing tubes. There is no cure for lymphatic malformations and August will need to see a specialist for the rest of his life for his condition. As the mass can/ will grow back at anytime.

Medical bills are piling up, and my family and I need your help with August's increasing medical bills. This process has been extremely stressful both mentally, physically and financially on our family. We have had to relocate to Philadelphia for the time being to be closer to August. While still trying to maintain our home in south Jersey. We would greatly appreciate any donation and prayers. My family and I thank you.