A turn of events that bring a little heavier news.
The Tomanka family has officially reached the 31-week mark of baby girl Tomanka, just one week shy of the mark that Liam was welcomed into the world. Karsen and Evie remember all too well the nightmare of 2025, and they are all holding each other closely through this time. Kate's health has increasingly declined, with the complications of preeclampsia, increased swelling, incompetent valves of the saphenous vein affecting her pelvic area through her ankle of her left leg, severe iron deficiency, low amniotic fluid, and a watch for baby girl's growth due to the functioning of the placenta, affected by preeclampsia, measuring baby at the 10th percentile as of last week.
Things have gotten more and more heavy and harder for Kate to carry out daily tasks including but not limited to caring for herself and her kiddos, but also working. As of this week, for now at least, she is out of work, with the uncertainty of if she will be able to return. It is looking as if the hospital will be the next step in keeping herself and baby safe, and a matter of trying to keep baby girl in as long as possible. Every single day at this point is a win. This means that their family, despite Kate's exhausting efforts of doing everything possible that has been recommended, numerous doctor's appointments, lab work, ultrasounds, infusions, resting after work religiously, and coordinating with both Waverly and the U of I--she will likely be done working for the remainder of this pregnancy, which is a month and a half earlier than expected, with unknowns of length of time in Iowa City once baby girl is the focus after delivery.
Going forward, there will be a great effort for Jake to continue to work as long as absolutely possible before he is needed to support Kate, but the time frame of that is unknown as well. This also comes with the cost of travel to and from Iowa City whether for specialist appointments, or to visit Kate while hospitalized, then baby when she arrives.
They also have to keep everything operating for their three sweet babies at home, and expenses don't pause in unprecedented times, so we are asking the community to gather around them to assist them with financial security, as well as prayers and love through the remainder of this uncertain and heavy time. Every single dollar helps, and we would deeply appreciate the support to assist their family. We want to provide them all with a foundation that feels firm and stable without the burden of worrying about finances, and since we know what is coming whether in a couple days, a week, or a few weeks down the road, we have the opportunity to rally together now, getting ahead of the uncertainties to come.
Anyone who knows Kate knows it isn't easy for her to sit still, and taking a step back from work is not easy for her not only for that reason, but also because she loves those she serves and loves to take care of others.
Monetary donations can be provided to them through the GoFundMe platform, mail, or through their Venmo account--KJTOMANKA2022 (last four digits of phone number 6265).