Little Samuel’s Surgery

Most of you know that Samuel was born early, at just 27 weeks and 5 days gestation. He came into this world weighing 1 pound and 12 ounces on October 15th, 2016. Samuel was a micro-preemie in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for 72 days. He endured IV lines, leads all over his body, tubes down his nose and throat, oxygen masks that covered his entire face, and so much more. There were many ups and downs in the NICU, but through everything, Samuel grew strong and finally came home the day after Christmas.

Samuel had a few issues from being a micro preemie, the main one being Grade 4 Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR). Normally, urine will flow from the kidneys down the ureter and into the bladder. With VUR, urine will flow the opposite way and cause infections. The grading system is from 1 – mild, to 5 – severe. Normal treatment for this is a daily antibiotic, which Samuel has been taking ever since he left the NICU over two years ago. He’s had a couple infections over the last two years but was doing well overall, until our last doctors visit.

Here is where it gets complicated. Earlier this month Samuel visited the doctor to check on how his VUR has progressed by doing a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG). This is an imaging test, like an X-ray, that visualizes the kidney, ureter, and bladder function. We were hopeful that our baby boy had finally outgrown the VUR because he has done so well and hasn’t had any recent infections. However, we found out that his bladder has developed a diverticulum. In simple terms, it is a bubble forming on his bladder that further worsens his VUR. After discussing the risks and complications with his doctor, the only option for fixing this issue is a major invasive surgery.

On May 29th, Samuel will undergo a right ureteral reimplantation and diverticulum repair. We are hopeful that this surgery will resolve the VUR and allow Samuel to have normal function. This is also where we would like to ask for your support, emotionally and financially.

So far we have been told:

•Physician estimated Fee: $1,956.84 due prior to Surgery.

•Facility Service (Dell’s Children)estimated Fee: $4,680.58 with 25% ($1,170.14) of it due day of Surgery.

•Anesthesiologist Fee: Pending

•ARA- VCUG scan: $576.97

•Misc Expenses: Pending

Samuel’s insurance has a $1,500 individual deductible, followed by a 80/20 coverage after meeting the deductible with an Out of Pocket of $6,000 after meeting the Out of Pocket the coverage is at 100%.

We thank you in advance for any donation possible, we will be sure to post updates on here as well to keep you posted on his recovery.  All your kind donations will go towards all his medical bills/expenses.