Support Sierra and Harnett's Healing Journey

ORIGINAL POST:

I'm starting this fundraiser for my good friend Sierra and her newborn son Harnett. Sweet Harnett was unexpectedly hospitalized on March 27, 2025 where he is still undergoing treatment.

Sierra spent a week in the hospital after the birth of Harnett and experienced complications during that time. It has been a long road to recovery for her and Harnett over the past 2.5 months with frequent doctor and now hospital visits.

Thank you for whatever you can donate to help Sierra and Harnett. They also greatly appreciate prayers.

UPDATE FROM MOM:

First and foremost thank you all for the kind messages and for your blessings and prayers for our family we have already received. I apologize I have not been able to respond to individual calls or messages yet, but intend to as soon as I can. As my friends and family know I am a very private person and do not post my personal life online. Most people I know didn't even know I was even expecting and I had no intention of having any social media presence of my son, but we have experienced unforseen physical and financial circumstances and are open to any type and level of help available until we are able to adjust. One of my kindest and closest friends, River, took it upon herself to create this Gofundme for us to raise awareness about our situation and allow a channel for those that would like to aid us while we navigate these unexpected events.

HOW DID WE GET HERE:

I had a very difficult pregnancy and was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I was unable to work the last 2 months of my pregnancy after only being able to do minimal work in the former. I was induced due to high blood pressure and had to have an emergency cesarean surgery after 24 hours of hard laboring and fetal distress. While the surgery was successful, multiple complications followed. My blood pressure reached 190 and I was at high risk for a heart attack or stroke and also risked hemorrhaging in the days followed. Despite these occurances, my baby boy was born PERFECT by the grace of God. However, I was in excruciating pain and stayed in the hospital for almost a week rather than a matter of 1-2 days. Even post-release the pain was almost unbearable and I was practically immobile. Even two and a half months later I am still unable to do basic tasks and or even walk short distances without pain and getting winded. My blood pressure is still abnormally high at rest and I am still high risk for developing diabetes postpartum. About 3 weeks ago it was brought to attention that Harnett was not gaining weight correctly and had completely fallen off of the weight curve. We were closely monitoring it and trying different avenues to get his weight up in the days following, but were blindsided by being admitted into ECU Health where he began several tests and close monitoring until he was released in the evening of Monday, March 31st. During our time at the hospital there were many tears and sleepless nights advocating for my child to pinpoint exactly what was causing him to not be able to gain weight and eventually implementing a plan in hopes to correct the issues before they resulted in permanent damage. Luckily, doctors were able catch it in time and he was diagnosed with transference issues due to "lip and tongue ties" and other feeding difficulties and results of such that we are currently working through and believe to be correctable. We are following a rigid feeding schedule that requires almost 24/7 care. Harnett also received minor procedures to release the lip and tongue ties to encourage proper nutrition reception and speech ability. He has since been gaining weight and visibly improving! To God be the glory.

WHERE WE ARE NOW:

While we are so relieved that these adjustments show great promise, there is unfortunately a road to recovery we have to travel as a family as regaining our health and catching up on work and finances do not happen overnight. As independent and modest as I am, I know it is in the best interest of our health to accept any help of any kind so that I can give the necessary time and provisions to my son until our health and my finances are fully recovered from the unexpected expenses. Funds will aid hospital bills, procedures, follow ups, medications, appointment travel costs, monthly bills, and whatever other support my son needs to get well as soon as possible. Our family thanks you all for anything you can give to help us find some relief. While this mama will gladly burn her candle at both ends for her family, I am just physically unable to keep up at this point without assistance and I accept that. Thank you all for loving my son and supporting me to feel safe receiving the help we need until we overcome these challenges.