Baby Schusterick Medical Relief Fund

Hello to all.  Two years ago our dear friends Tricia and Will Schusterick made a wonderful decision, it was time to try for a baby.  The next two years would be filled with many tests, tears, frustrations, and deep perseverance as they struggled to become pregnant. They never gave up hope and in May of this year a wonderful gift happened. A positive pregnancy test.  As Tricia's heart was overcome with joy she grabbed a sharpie, one of Will's discs and started to write the surprise note. It read "Baby Schusterick coming January 2021!" This was a wonderful day after two years of such struggle.  In August more wonderful news came again in the announcement that the little one growing was a boy! Oh what joy flooded over them! A baby boy! Here is where it gets hard. At the first ultrasound the little guy was measuring smaller than usual so they were referred to a specialist for more scans. The initial thought was they probably just got the due date wrong. A week later Tricia was sent to the specialist alone, because due to Covid guidelines Will wasn't allowed to join. There she sat waiting for what felt like a lifetime trying her best not to worry. The specialist finally came and told her the news. They diagnosed baby Schusterick with Tetralogy of Fallot, which is a combination of four different heart problems. The four being pulmonary stenosis, ventricular septal defect, overriding aorta, and right ventricular hypertrophy. He is going to need 1-3 open heart surgeries in the first year of his life and possibly one might need to happen as soon as he is born. The specialist told her if she were to give birth where they live then their son would potentially not survive. They have been referred to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital where they will relocate to Nashville before his due date to get ready for him to enter this world and have the best care possible. They have already met with many doctors and staff at Vanderbilt and feel confident he will be in good hands, but this doesn't change the fact that they are just scared. So scared of the unknown and all of the planning that is taking place right now to make sure they are ready. Tricia has been having an ultrasound a week at Vanderbilt, and she was just told this past week that he is not growing well and they will start to ultrasound twice weekly to monitor him.  She was told that when she comes in she always needs to be ready for them to admit her because there is a high chance they will have to intervene early and get him out so he can grow in the NICU.  He is only 26 weeks old. Friends this is a huge burden to bear. They need help! What we can do for them is help bear some of the financial load . They have been given quotes that are completely overwhelming. They will need to move to Nashville for who knows how long. Tricia's full time job will be caring for this young one. As Will will try his best to carry his family financially traveling back and forth from Georgia and Tennessee.  Friends this is our time to rise up and show them they have an amazing community of people that are here for them. Let's flood them with our love and support. The bills are already piling up from all the ultrasounds, specialist consultations, and travel to Nashville. They need our help and they need it now. If you know these amazing humans you know they would do the same for you. Will and Tricia are some of the most kind and generous people I have ever met.  They have prayed so hard for the gift of a child and they are fighting so hard right now to save his life. Along with their heavy hearts and worry gratitude and hope are never lost. They are very hopeful that after this rocky start he will have a beautiful life. They are fighters, and so is that little guy. It is our time to fight with them. Will you join me? 
Thank you so much friends!