Friends of Evelyn Rose
Donation protected
Evelyn Rose Steppig was born July 19, 2016 at Children's Hospital Colorado with a Giant Omphalocele and Scoliosis. Within the first 3 weeks of her life she had 7 surgeries. She is currentling battling Chronic Lung Disease and a Fistula on her stomach. The goal of this campaign is to help pay for her medical bills, the unexpected expense of meals, gas, etc for the family while Evelyn is in the NICU and help keep the family financially on track to be able to provide the best life for her when she is finally able to come home. Please follow Evelyn's Facebook Page. We update daily on her progress!!!

Evelyn, "Evie", was diagnosed via ultrasound with her Giant Omphalocele during week 13. We were immediately referred to a specialist at a Maternal, Fetal Medicine office. Initially we were told that she would not survive outside the womb and were recommended to terminate the pregnancy. However, we elected instead to do an amniocentesis at 16 weeks and reevaluate then. That turned out to be the best decision because during that appointment it was confirmed that she was healthy minus her Omphalocele and Scoliosis - both of which are surgically fixable! An Omphalocele is basically a sac outside her abdomen containing her internal organs, liver, intestines etc. Scoliosis is a curve of her spine, in Evie's case her curve is 62°.

Evie was scheduled to arrive in the world August 8, 2016 via C-Section; however she had other plans and came early! It was a very exciting and welcome surprise. We were unsure what to expect once she arrived, having been told numerous different courses of treatment depending on her. It is truly Evelyn's show and she is an excellent leading lady full of gumption!! During delivery Evie's Omphalocele ruptured which prompted a firm course in correcting her Omphalocele immediately. At 3 days old she had her first of 7 surgeries to repair her Omphalocele. By the time she was 3 weeks old, all of her organs had been returned to their proper home inside of her.
The following weeks were full of ups and downs, successes and set backs. Evelyn struggled with her lungs and breathing as her body adjusted to her organs being put back inside of her belly! During her final surgery, her bowel was punctured. It opened shortly after her surgery creating a fistula - an opening between two hallow places in the body. This means she has bile and fecal matter coming out a hole in her belly. This will heal over time and requires her to have a wound vac on her belly.
Evelyn was finally able to try to breathe on her own at 10 weeks old but unfortunately didn't have the lung strength or reserve to keep going without extra help. She had to be re-intubated a week later. After another week on the breathing vent, it was decided to give her another try. Unfortunately that was also unsuccessful and she had to have the breathing tube placed again. She will have one more trial to breathe on her own but if she fails she will need a tracheotomy. If that is the case, she will require 24/7 nursing care when she finally comes home.
Evelyn's family is with her everyday! Her Daddy (Harlan) sees her every morning before work. Her Mama (Salem) spends every afternoon with her. Her brother (Blake) visits when he can. She is so loved and supported by people across the country and is cherished by the nursing staff! We are so grateful to everyone for their emotional support during this exhausting roller coaster ride.
We are are starting this campaign to help the family with the added expenses that come with having a child in the NICU. The money will go to paying for Evelyn's medical bills that the insurance won't cover. It will also go to paying for gas, meals and toys/clothes/blankets for Ms. Evie! Thank you so much for your help, love, prayers and support
-Salem Steppig
Evelyn, "Evie", was diagnosed via ultrasound with her Giant Omphalocele during week 13. We were immediately referred to a specialist at a Maternal, Fetal Medicine office. Initially we were told that she would not survive outside the womb and were recommended to terminate the pregnancy. However, we elected instead to do an amniocentesis at 16 weeks and reevaluate then. That turned out to be the best decision because during that appointment it was confirmed that she was healthy minus her Omphalocele and Scoliosis - both of which are surgically fixable! An Omphalocele is basically a sac outside her abdomen containing her internal organs, liver, intestines etc. Scoliosis is a curve of her spine, in Evie's case her curve is 62°.
Evie was scheduled to arrive in the world August 8, 2016 via C-Section; however she had other plans and came early! It was a very exciting and welcome surprise. We were unsure what to expect once she arrived, having been told numerous different courses of treatment depending on her. It is truly Evelyn's show and she is an excellent leading lady full of gumption!! During delivery Evie's Omphalocele ruptured which prompted a firm course in correcting her Omphalocele immediately. At 3 days old she had her first of 7 surgeries to repair her Omphalocele. By the time she was 3 weeks old, all of her organs had been returned to their proper home inside of her.
The following weeks were full of ups and downs, successes and set backs. Evelyn struggled with her lungs and breathing as her body adjusted to her organs being put back inside of her belly! During her final surgery, her bowel was punctured. It opened shortly after her surgery creating a fistula - an opening between two hallow places in the body. This means she has bile and fecal matter coming out a hole in her belly. This will heal over time and requires her to have a wound vac on her belly.
Evelyn was finally able to try to breathe on her own at 10 weeks old but unfortunately didn't have the lung strength or reserve to keep going without extra help. She had to be re-intubated a week later. After another week on the breathing vent, it was decided to give her another try. Unfortunately that was also unsuccessful and she had to have the breathing tube placed again. She will have one more trial to breathe on her own but if she fails she will need a tracheotomy. If that is the case, she will require 24/7 nursing care when she finally comes home.
Evelyn's family is with her everyday! Her Daddy (Harlan) sees her every morning before work. Her Mama (Salem) spends every afternoon with her. Her brother (Blake) visits when he can. She is so loved and supported by people across the country and is cherished by the nursing staff! We are so grateful to everyone for their emotional support during this exhausting roller coaster ride.
We are are starting this campaign to help the family with the added expenses that come with having a child in the NICU. The money will go to paying for Evelyn's medical bills that the insurance won't cover. It will also go to paying for gas, meals and toys/clothes/blankets for Ms. Evie! Thank you so much for your help, love, prayers and support
-Salem Steppig
Organizer
Salem Steppig
Organizer
Parker, CO
