Baby Nelson needs open heart surgery.

Hi my name is Deanna Willis and I am setting up this fundraiser for my niece Taylor Nelson and her husband Shane.

After over a year of trying and one unexpected loss, they found out that they’re pregnant with their second baby and are over the moon about growing their family and giving their son Micah a little brother.

It was discovered at Taylor’s 20 week anatomy scan that this baby has a rare and serious heart defect that requires open heart surgery soon after birth. Babies with this defect do not survive without surgical intervention.

The defect is called Transposition of the Great Arteries. The two main arteries leaving the babies heart are reversed, causing a lack of oxygenated blood to flow to the rest of the babies body.

Due to the rarity of this defect and the surgery required to correct it, Taylor will need to give birth at the University of Michigan hospital which is 4 hours away from their home in Traverse City, MI. The hospital in their hometown is not equipped to handle a high risk case such as theirs.

The doctors at U of M has informed them to expect at least a two to three week stay in the nicu/picu after the birth and surgery, barring no other complications. If there’s any complications they could end up having to stay longer.

I am asking for help to alleviate some of the financial burden for this surgery and hospital stay. Medical bills are already adding up as this is a high risk pregnancy and Taylor requires fetal echocardiograms and monitoring until birth.

The average cost for this surgery starts at $60,000 and can increase tremendously if there are any complications and he requires another surgery.

During the birth and stay at the hospital, Taylor’s husband Shane will need to take time off work to be with and support them. This money will also go towards helping them have a place to stay 4 hours away from home and everyday food and necessities for themselves and their son Micah who will need to travel with them. It will also go towards helping making sure their rent at home is covered as there is no guarantee how long they will have to be away from home.

The surgery required to fix this defect is called the arterial switch surgery and has very positive outcomes and has been studied and perfected over the years. We are hopeful and pray that everything will go according to plan and that this baby will have a smooth recovery and are asking everyone to pray along with us.

Any donations are greatly appreciated and will be a huge help to Taylor and Shane so that they can stay focused on the health and care of their baby.

Right now their due date is December 19th. They meet next month with a team of surgeons to decide on a date to head down to U of M and be induced so that everyone is present and ready for the little guys arrival. I will keep everyone updated with details as I find them out.

All donations are set up to go directly to Taylor and Shane for their medical bills, gas, food, and lodging while they are dealing with this. ♥️

Please share and donate if you can.