Supporting Baby Silas
Donation protected
To those reading, my name is Olga Yolanda Jimenez. On July 29, 2019 my daughter, Elisa Nuñez, gave birth to my first grandson, Silas Sinclair. What was supposed to be the joyous days of our lives soon turned into the most fearful moments we’ve ever experience. Silas was born with VACTERL association, a disorder affecting multiple body systems which can include vertebral defects, anal atresia, cardiac defects, tracheoesophageal fistula, renal anomalies, and limb abnormalities.
Within the first 24 hours of Silas’ birth we noticed he wasn’t eating well and he was unable to make any bowel movements. A quick CAT scan confirmed he had a tracheoesophageal fistula, an abnormal connection between the esophagus and windpipe, along with anal atresia, a defect where the opening of the anus is blocked, misplaced, or absent. Silas was immediately rushed to the operating room where doctors performed a tracheoesophageal fistula corrective surgery and an ostomy. The ostomy procedure allows him to pass bodily waste through a stoma, an opening in the abdomen, into a prosthetic bag on the outside of his body until the anal atresia can be corrected.
Silas spent almost two months in the NICU recovering from the initial surgery. Since then, we’ve gone to multiple doctors to fully understand his VACTERL diagnosis. Silas has also been diagnosed with spinal defects which are difficult to determine at this time, though we’ve been told they can range from defects in the bones to fused or missing vertebrae that can affect him throughout his life.
We have been blessed with an outstanding medical team at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), however, it is an hour and a half away from us and the travel time takes its toll on both my daughter and I. On January 6, 2020, Silas will undergo the first phase of the correction of the anal atresia, a surgery lasting upwards of six hours. It will be the first of approximately four procedures he will face next year. Each surgery will require him to stay at CHOP during his recovery of 2-3 weeks.
Although his medical expenses are covered at this time, his mother’s accommodations to stay with him are not something we can afford. I’m asking for your help with the cost of my daughters stay in Philadelphia so she can be near her son during this process. She is currently on a waiting list for the Ronald McDonald house, but it can take months before she’s accepted. We’ll need about $10,000 to make sure she is with Silas during all of his procedures in 2020. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and please know anything you can bless us with is immensely appreciated.
Within the first 24 hours of Silas’ birth we noticed he wasn’t eating well and he was unable to make any bowel movements. A quick CAT scan confirmed he had a tracheoesophageal fistula, an abnormal connection between the esophagus and windpipe, along with anal atresia, a defect where the opening of the anus is blocked, misplaced, or absent. Silas was immediately rushed to the operating room where doctors performed a tracheoesophageal fistula corrective surgery and an ostomy. The ostomy procedure allows him to pass bodily waste through a stoma, an opening in the abdomen, into a prosthetic bag on the outside of his body until the anal atresia can be corrected.
Silas spent almost two months in the NICU recovering from the initial surgery. Since then, we’ve gone to multiple doctors to fully understand his VACTERL diagnosis. Silas has also been diagnosed with spinal defects which are difficult to determine at this time, though we’ve been told they can range from defects in the bones to fused or missing vertebrae that can affect him throughout his life.
We have been blessed with an outstanding medical team at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), however, it is an hour and a half away from us and the travel time takes its toll on both my daughter and I. On January 6, 2020, Silas will undergo the first phase of the correction of the anal atresia, a surgery lasting upwards of six hours. It will be the first of approximately four procedures he will face next year. Each surgery will require him to stay at CHOP during his recovery of 2-3 weeks.
Although his medical expenses are covered at this time, his mother’s accommodations to stay with him are not something we can afford. I’m asking for your help with the cost of my daughters stay in Philadelphia so she can be near her son during this process. She is currently on a waiting list for the Ronald McDonald house, but it can take months before she’s accepted. We’ll need about $10,000 to make sure she is with Silas during all of his procedures in 2020. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and please know anything you can bless us with is immensely appreciated.
Organizer
Olga Yolanda Jimenez
Organizer
Perth Amboy, NJ