Hope for Harper
Donation protected
Our daughter, Harper, was born July 4th, 2019 and everyday since she has brightened every room she walks into.
Getting ready to celebrate my birthday on September 14th, things took a turn for the worst on the night of the 13th. Harper woke up in agonizing pain and she was inconsolable. We noticed that she was not eating, vomiting, a lack of wet diapers and was excessively sleepy. As first time parents we were terrified and we called the doctor. It was recommended that we go to INOVA Children's Hospital to be seen. After multiple blood tests, ultrasound imaging and X-rays, it was found that Harper had gallstones. A condition so rare for an infant, even the ER doctors and nurses were puzzled and admitted her. We spent 4 days at INOVA running even more blood tests and imaging to find out that Harper has a septate gallbladder and a choledocal cyst.
Septate gallbladder is characterized by the presence of a septum that divides the gallbladder into chambers. Septate gallbladders most likely result from incomplete resolution of the solid stage of gallbladder development that is present before the third month of fetal development. Choledochal cysts, are rare dilations (enlargements) of the bile ducts, a network of long tube-like structures that carry bile from the liver to small intestine for digestion.
The combination of these 3 conditions calls for surgical removal of her gallbladder and the cyst. On Tuesday, October 1, Harper will. be transferred to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for surgery. Her condition is so rare, most doctors have not performed this surgery so, we found the best of the best Dr. Alan Flake to perform her surgery. We will drive over 2 hours for the procedure, and Harper will be hospitalized for about a week for recovery.
As you can imagine, after 2 extended hospital stays, excessive imaging and surgery medical bills are stacking up. I have taken some time off for maternity leave to raise Harper, and my husband is doing the best he can to keep working to support us. However, with all of the unforeseen bills and the time he has taken off to be there for her, it has been difficult to make ends meet.
If you can find it in your heart, we would appreciate if you could do at least ONE of the three things.
1. Donate- Every dollar counts, and your kindness will not go unnoticed.
2. Share- We get it! Times are hard! If you cannot donate yourself, please share in hopes someone else can contribute.
3. Pray- Please say a prayer for a successful surgery, a speedy recovery and for God to continue to make a way for us.
Sincerely,
Eric, Audrey and Harper Edwers
Getting ready to celebrate my birthday on September 14th, things took a turn for the worst on the night of the 13th. Harper woke up in agonizing pain and she was inconsolable. We noticed that she was not eating, vomiting, a lack of wet diapers and was excessively sleepy. As first time parents we were terrified and we called the doctor. It was recommended that we go to INOVA Children's Hospital to be seen. After multiple blood tests, ultrasound imaging and X-rays, it was found that Harper had gallstones. A condition so rare for an infant, even the ER doctors and nurses were puzzled and admitted her. We spent 4 days at INOVA running even more blood tests and imaging to find out that Harper has a septate gallbladder and a choledocal cyst.
Septate gallbladder is characterized by the presence of a septum that divides the gallbladder into chambers. Septate gallbladders most likely result from incomplete resolution of the solid stage of gallbladder development that is present before the third month of fetal development. Choledochal cysts, are rare dilations (enlargements) of the bile ducts, a network of long tube-like structures that carry bile from the liver to small intestine for digestion.
The combination of these 3 conditions calls for surgical removal of her gallbladder and the cyst. On Tuesday, October 1, Harper will. be transferred to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for surgery. Her condition is so rare, most doctors have not performed this surgery so, we found the best of the best Dr. Alan Flake to perform her surgery. We will drive over 2 hours for the procedure, and Harper will be hospitalized for about a week for recovery.
As you can imagine, after 2 extended hospital stays, excessive imaging and surgery medical bills are stacking up. I have taken some time off for maternity leave to raise Harper, and my husband is doing the best he can to keep working to support us. However, with all of the unforeseen bills and the time he has taken off to be there for her, it has been difficult to make ends meet.
If you can find it in your heart, we would appreciate if you could do at least ONE of the three things.
1. Donate- Every dollar counts, and your kindness will not go unnoticed.
2. Share- We get it! Times are hard! If you cannot donate yourself, please share in hopes someone else can contribute.
3. Pray- Please say a prayer for a successful surgery, a speedy recovery and for God to continue to make a way for us.
Sincerely,
Eric, Audrey and Harper Edwers
Organizer
Audrey Edwers
Organizer
Alexandria, VA