Baby Stone's Medical Fund

"The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart." Helen Keller

On Thursday, October 26, 2017, STONE MAVERICK, weighing 6 pounds, 2 ounces, and 19 3/4 inches long was born to the parents of Jessica and Gary.   

Jessica and Gary welcomed him amid months of worry and concern.  He was perfect, almost washing away the fact they knew he had Cystic Fibrosis.  They knew and understood what might be ahead for them, but never conceived all of which their precious angel would endure so soon after birth.

Only 14 hours after he was born, he under went his first surgical procedure.  Stone had a bowel blockage - a complication of CF. For the next 3 days, the doctors would try what they considered "minimally invasive" surgeries, but were unsuccessful. At just 4 days old, the doctors decided he would need 2 very invasive surgeries to remedy the blockage. That was their only option. Their darling angel - operated on, tubes in his chest, monitors attached, and soon thereafter, leads inserted into his chest. Watching the doctors prep and wheel his fragile, newborn body off for surgery will forever haunt Jessica and Gary. After 5 long hours, they were notified of success with the surgeries! One surgery would allow him to be fed nutrition, bypassing his digestive system while he healed from the other surgery, which was to remove the blockage in his digestive tract. Two days after this procedure, Stone had suffered a setback- the surgical site had ruptured, an infection had formed in the wound, and an abscess was leaking into his little body, causing a very high fever and infection. The doctors did all they could to treat him. 

Unfortuantly, the surgical site had to be reopened, he was just 3 weeks old.  Stone continues to fight the infection with high doses of antibiotics.  Feeding tubes and oxygen are assisting him in his fight.  Meanwhile, Docotors are already dicussing sugeries to come - they believe there is another blockage. 

Through all of this when you see his little face - you would never know what he has endured. He smiles - a great big mouth smile! Thank God for that gift.

Jessica and Gary are grateful they can hold him, love him and all but climb in his little crib on the Level 3 Neonatal NICU at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. It is the same hospital where Jessica was admitted a month prior due to her own medical issues and is where she  and Gary remain daily through all of this.  

Since his birth, Stone, has fought hard to overcome the complications related to Cystic Fibrosis.  As you can image, the medical bills are adding up.  Future surgeris are being scheduled .  Unsure of what is yet to come, Jessica and Gary wait - keeping hope that they will be able to take him home to Gizmo and Bella (his sisters with tails and four legs) in time for Christmas. We all pray and hope.

Donations will be put towards all of Stone's medical bills.  Donations of any size are greatly appreciated.