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Donations For Our Warrior, Max.

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Just over 9 months ago my worst fear came to fruition.  I was only 24 weeks into my first pregnancy, and without warning,  gave birth to a 1.7 pound Max at home on October 24th.  He was rushed to the nearby hospital and given a 20% chance of survival.  From there, he was rushed to Porter Regional NICU where they were miraculously able to stabilize him. The days, weeks, and months following were a roller coaster to say the least, but Max began to thrive.

Shortly after Thanksgiving, Max developed Necrotizing Entercolitis, a devastating disease that affects the intestines of premature infants. Despite being treated with antibiotics, this was not enough and Max became more sick, requiring surgery that was beyond the scope of our local NICU. 

On December 7th, I made the decision to have Max transported to Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's hospital of Chicago, where he underwent three surgeries to remove several centimeters of infected intestine and part of his colon. Once again, Max began to thrive. 

Max also suffers Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD), a chronic lung disease that affects premature infants. He has been on a ventilator to support his underdeveloped lungs and just recently had a tracheostomy to open his airway. 

Max is now 15 lbs, 9 months old and continuing to grow stronger every day. We are hoping to bring him home in the next few months, but then he will require around the clock care because he will have the ventilator at home. Due to a home nursing shortage, I will have to provide most of that care myself.

To say that we are stressed and struggling financially now is an understatement. The medical bills are overwhelming, and the travel expenses with the constant back and forth to Chicago to be with Max has added up quickly to put us in a huge hole that we cannot get out of alone. This is so much bigger than us and anything that we can handle alone. Everyone's generosity, kindness and support is beyond appreciated!
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Donations 

  • Daniel DeJarlais
    • $100 
    • 5 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Leah Frazee
Organizer
LaPorte, IN
Richard Yoho
Beneficiary

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