Let's Help The Bate Family!
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After four years of fertility treatment and one last attempt at invitro-fertilization, Steven and Sarah Bate were finally given some good news. They were pregnant with twins! This news was such as a blessing as Steve had just been recently diagnosed with stage four kidney disease, meaning he will undoubtedly need a kidney transplant in the next few years. By the grace of God, Sarah was a perfect match. This was truly there last chance at parenthood as Sarah would have to wait at least a year after giving birth to donate her kidney to her husband whose health was rapidly declining.
For the most part, Sarah’s pregnancy was going well. Both babies were growing and they were thrilled to find out they were having a boy and a girl. At thirty four weeks, Sarah went in for a routine ultrasound that had doctors concerned. A stress test confirmed that one of the babies was in distress (baby boy). There was no time for Sarah and her babies to be flown to BC Children’s Hospital so instead she was rushed in for an emergency C-section.
On July 12, 2014, Summer Don and Wyatt Allan were born. Summer weighed 4lbs 2 oz and Wyatt weighed 2lbs 9oz. Both babies were immediately flown to the Children’s Hospital in Vancouver. The babies went through a variety of tests and procedures including a blood transfusion for baby Wyatt. Shortly after their arrival, Sarah and Steve received some devastating news. Wyatt’s ultrasound showed a stage 2 brain bleed, a stage 4 brain bleed, a hole in his heart and severe jaundice. Summer was also still on oxygen and being treated for jaundice as well. Throughout the next two weeks, Wyatt’s head was continuously monitored. The bleeding had stopped but the ventricles in his head were enlarged, causing his head to swell significantly. The brain surgeon confirmed that Wyatt needed surgery to have a shunt placed in his head to relieve the pressure. It worked! Wyatt’s shunt removed 40ml of fluid from his tiny head. The doctors agreed that it was safe for both babies to be transferred to Kelowna which to Sarah and Steve was one step closer to home.
Wyatt and Summer arrived in Kelowna where the doctors continued to monitor their weight and their jaundice, as Wyatt’s bone and liver enzymes were still increasing. After a routine ultrasound on Wyatt’s head, the pediatrician told Steve and Sarah that Wyatt has developed Extensive Periventricular Leukomalacia, a brain injury caused by his previous brain bleeds. This devastating diagnosis meant that this poor little angel will most likely experience motor delays, developmental delays or cerebral palsy.
Although devastated by the news, Sarah and Steve are determined to give both babies the best care. Wyatt will need to travel regularly to BC Children’s Hospital to have his brain and heart examined. Both babies have since been released from the hospital but must remain in Kelowna to undergo routine check-ups so the Bate family is staying in a hotel waiting to hear when they can take their babies home. Sarah is obviously not working and as of right now, Steve is still able to work. However his advanced kidney disease will ultimately affect just how long Steve will be able to work before his health becomes jeopardized.
These beautiful babies are almost two months old and have yet been able to go ‘home.’ The Bates have been so through so much and yet remain so positive and committed to these two angels. They know there is a long road ahead for little Wyatt and the entire family as the inevitable kidney transplant for Steve approaches. Help me help this family in any way we can. Please pray for the health of this family and donate to help alleviate any financial strain from their lives.
“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving”
-Mother Teresa
For the most part, Sarah’s pregnancy was going well. Both babies were growing and they were thrilled to find out they were having a boy and a girl. At thirty four weeks, Sarah went in for a routine ultrasound that had doctors concerned. A stress test confirmed that one of the babies was in distress (baby boy). There was no time for Sarah and her babies to be flown to BC Children’s Hospital so instead she was rushed in for an emergency C-section.
On July 12, 2014, Summer Don and Wyatt Allan were born. Summer weighed 4lbs 2 oz and Wyatt weighed 2lbs 9oz. Both babies were immediately flown to the Children’s Hospital in Vancouver. The babies went through a variety of tests and procedures including a blood transfusion for baby Wyatt. Shortly after their arrival, Sarah and Steve received some devastating news. Wyatt’s ultrasound showed a stage 2 brain bleed, a stage 4 brain bleed, a hole in his heart and severe jaundice. Summer was also still on oxygen and being treated for jaundice as well. Throughout the next two weeks, Wyatt’s head was continuously monitored. The bleeding had stopped but the ventricles in his head were enlarged, causing his head to swell significantly. The brain surgeon confirmed that Wyatt needed surgery to have a shunt placed in his head to relieve the pressure. It worked! Wyatt’s shunt removed 40ml of fluid from his tiny head. The doctors agreed that it was safe for both babies to be transferred to Kelowna which to Sarah and Steve was one step closer to home.
Wyatt and Summer arrived in Kelowna where the doctors continued to monitor their weight and their jaundice, as Wyatt’s bone and liver enzymes were still increasing. After a routine ultrasound on Wyatt’s head, the pediatrician told Steve and Sarah that Wyatt has developed Extensive Periventricular Leukomalacia, a brain injury caused by his previous brain bleeds. This devastating diagnosis meant that this poor little angel will most likely experience motor delays, developmental delays or cerebral palsy.
Although devastated by the news, Sarah and Steve are determined to give both babies the best care. Wyatt will need to travel regularly to BC Children’s Hospital to have his brain and heart examined. Both babies have since been released from the hospital but must remain in Kelowna to undergo routine check-ups so the Bate family is staying in a hotel waiting to hear when they can take their babies home. Sarah is obviously not working and as of right now, Steve is still able to work. However his advanced kidney disease will ultimately affect just how long Steve will be able to work before his health becomes jeopardized.
These beautiful babies are almost two months old and have yet been able to go ‘home.’ The Bates have been so through so much and yet remain so positive and committed to these two angels. They know there is a long road ahead for little Wyatt and the entire family as the inevitable kidney transplant for Steve approaches. Help me help this family in any way we can. Please pray for the health of this family and donate to help alleviate any financial strain from their lives.
“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving”
-Mother Teresa
Organizer
Tracy Conci Griffiths
Organizer
Trail, BC