Our baby was diagnosed with severe CDH, Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, at her routine 20week anatomy scan. This condition means that early in development her body didn't create a full diaphragm. The large hole has allowed her stomach, intestines, and part of her liver to travel up into her chest cavity, displacing her heart and putting pressure on her lungs. The pressure on her lungs has greatly stunted their development, creating a pretty dramatic situation once she arrives.

Our "local" doctors didn't offer us much help for our sweet girl. While we know God is our Great Physician, we also know he uses people to work out his plans. After a devastating visit to a STL hospital we started researching for ourselves. In this research we found Children's Mercy Kansas City and their excellent CDH team. In order for that team to help save our baby's life, Anja will have to relocate to KC for months! Relocation creates a huge emotional, physical, and financial strain for our family. We are looking to raise funds that will allow Andrew to breathe and still hold the family together. It will be essential that bills are paid but also that this family is able to still spend time together. We will also have to make some pretty costly, but essential repairs to our home in order to create a safe, healthy environment to bring our lung compromised baby girl home to.