I am needing more prayers and help for another amazing family. Heather first reached out to me through my blog after reading that Isaac had been diagnosed with T18. She knew everything I was going through all too well because she had just given birth to a beautiful baby girl named Alyssa, who also had T18. Unlike us however, Alyssa's parents had no idea that she had T18 until the day she was born. Heather and her husband went to a doctor appointment at 39 weeks to see if they could do an external version because Alyssa was breech. Suddenly, a routine doctor appointment turned into an emergency when they realized that something was wrong with Alyssa's heart. They were rushed to the hospital and that is when their world was turned upside down.
After welcoming their daughter into the world, Alyssa's parents were told to be prepared to quickly say goodbye because Alyssa had T18. She stayed 10 days in the NICU and was then sent home to spend her last days with her family. With a heart too weak for surgery, her parents had no options but to try and make her comfortable and shower her with their love.
Remarkably, Alyssa is now 6 months old.
Alyssa is a fighter and undoubtably a miracle but every day is a struggle for this sweet baby girl. She is fighting for every breath and requires around the clock care. If you are a parent, you can imagine what it would be like to watch your baby struggle for life for even a moment, let alone for 6 months. If you are a parent, you can imagine what it would be like to live every day not knowing if it would be your child's last.
Alyssa has a beautiful big sister and a darling big brother that her parents also take care of on top of a house, jobs and an enormous amount of medical bills to pay for. Heather's coworkers have graciously continued to donate their time off to her so she could stay home with Alyssa but because she holds the health insurance for their family, she will be forced to go back to work soon. To say their lives are full of stress, would be an understatement.
Despite everything going on in her own life, Heather has been an amazing friend to me. During my pregnancy she wrote me countless words of encouragement, let me ask her all kinds of questions about what it was like taking care of a baby with T18, and has let me confide in her and tell her things that I know only she can understand. She is a pillar of strength and faith and she truly amazes me. The fact that throughout her own hardships she continued to think and pray for our family, truly says what kind of person she is.
I want to help the Barlow family in any way that I can but because they live in Utah, there is only so much I can do. I am asking you to help out if you can. I know times are tough but if you are able to, please make a donation to the Alyssa Maree Barlow Fund. Maybe you could even repost their link to your own blog or Facebook? It would mean so much to me if you could please help spread the word. More than anything though, I ask you to pray for Alyssa and her family because I know firsthand that your prayers work.
