Helping the Hutchinson Family

I have started this fund for Stacey And Colin Hutchinson and their 3 young children. Ages 7 months, 2 years, and 4 years.  This amazing family hasn't been in my life for very long, but has proven to be one of the strongest families I know.

In mid August after having headaches two mornings in a row Stacey was completely incapacitated  and unable to open her eyes. She suffered from extreme light and sound sensitivity and her pupils wouldn't dilate when exposed to light.  Colin took her to Grand River Hospital where after a brief stay in the ER and a CT scan later they were moved to Hamilton General by ambulance.

Suspicions confirmed Stacey's 20 year old shunt (for hydrocephalus) was failing / not working properly. They operated to implement a solution that was not available 20 years ago. The doctors performed a type of procedure that is relatively new in the field of neurology/hydrocephalus treatment. Essentially, they "dig" a trench through the brain that better allows the flow of fluids back down through the spine as it is supposed to like any other human. Obviously, there were risks involved (bleeding, swelling, brain damage, etc.). But considering the possible end result was Stacey no longer having to rely on a piece of plastic tubing to keep her alive, they chose to have the surgery. After 2 hours of surgery, things seemed to have went well and after short stay in the hospital, she was sent home to Colin and her boys.

Just when they thought this was the end of the problems, Stacey developed an abscess in her abdomen where the bottom of the shunt is located. It was about the size of an apricot. She was re admitted to Hamilton General where they decided she needed another surgery to have the portion of her shunt in her abdomen removed.  She was sent home after a brief stay only to return 5 days later for the actual surgery.  The surgery went well even if they couldn't get to the cyst. She was told she might have to have it drained in the future, but they hoped it would just absorb itself into her body now that the irritant has been removed. After a very short hospital stay, Stacey returned home once again.

Fast forward a couple weeks and Stacey developed an infection in her abdomonal incision.  Yet again she was admitted to Hamilton General where they gave her IV antibiotics to try and fight the infection. She stayed for a few days only to return home with an IV bag attached to her 24/7 with a pic line. She goes for weekly blood work and a nurse visits once a day to give her an extra bag of meds and changes her dressing. This is now everyday life for her and her family. 

It's now been a few weeks since she has had a hospital stay, but tonight she is heading back to Hamilton General for yet more surgery, and possibly another to come yet. This week her infection in her abdomen got worse and she started having headaches again.  The plan is to go in and pinch off the shunt to stop it from taking too much fluid. Fingers crossed this will work. She will be in the hospital for a while this time so they can monitor her. If the fluid starts to build again, it will mean yet another surgery.

The family has incurred many costs over the past 7 weeks and these costs continue to add up daily with medications, medical supplies, the cost of a nanny to help with the boys and continuous trips back and forth to Hamilton. 

Please pray for Stacey and her family. Right now she just wants to be healthy enough to be at home with her husband and boys. Please help out if you are able...Thank you! :)