Fundraising Efforts for Joslyn & the Reed Family

UPDATE as of 2:57pm, Friday, August 5th:

Around midnight this morning, things unfortunately took a turn for the worst. Jos's pupils became fixed, dilated and no longer reactive. Shortly after this, we finally were able to get the CT scan of her head that we were all so anxiously awaiting. The results were not good. The CT showed that Jos had suffered extensive emboli and damage throughout her brain, most likely due to the amniotic fluid embolism that occurred during birth. There was also diffuse edema (swelling) and signs consistent with brain herniation. She had a CTA perfusion scan completed that showed minimal, if any, blood flow to most of her brain. In other words, her brain was swollen, herniated and lacked blood flow / oxygen. This morning, when we arrived to the hospital, we discovered Jos to no longer have any brain stem reflexes. All of these findings are consistent with a diagnosis of brain death. We spoke with the ICU, cardiology, neurology, neurosurgery and trauma surgery teams and, unfortunately, there was nothing else that anyone could do to help our Jos. Her injuries were just too much to survive despite how much of a fighter she is. This afternoon, Jos's family and friends will be by her side and say their final goodbyes. Baby Coco will have a chance to see Mom for one last time as well. Once everyone has had an opportunity to say their final farewell to Jos, we will start the process of removing her life support and helping her pass on as comfortably as possible and surrounded by all the love we can give her.

Baby Coco remains stable in the NICU. Doctors are hopeful they will be removing the chest tube soon.

Thank you for all your love and support.

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You're probably here because you know Joslyn, Ian and Zoey.

Our favorite little family grew by one in the early hours of Tuesday morning 08/02/22. Baby girl Coen James Reed was born at 6lbs 1oz and five weeks premature. She's perfect and so strong, just like her mama...

During this pregnancy, Joslyn was diagnosed with Placenta previa, a problem during pregnancy when the placenta wholly or partially covers the opening of the uterus (cervix). At times, this caused her discomfort and excessive bleeding. On Monday, Joslyn experienced more bleeding than usual, so she was brought to Northwestern for observation. It became apparent that for the safety of her and Coen, she would have to deliver via C-section, that day. Baby Coen came into this world with Ian standing by to welcome her to the NICU.

Unfortunately, Joslyn's bleeding could not be contained. The doctors performed an emergency partial hysterectomy in hopes of resolving some of the issues that came up in delivery. She then endured an unexpected life-threatening birth complication called an Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE), described as an allergic reaction to the amniotic fluid that enters the mother's bloodstream. Because of this, she went into cardiac arrest twice. The team working on her did everything they could, and they brought our Joslyn back to us. They knew we needed her. Not just Ian, Zoey, and Coen, but all of us.

Joslyn is in the ICU today, and her condition is considered critical.

She has endured several surgeries since the initial C-section to find the sources of her continued bleeding and stop it. We've learned she has Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), a rare but serious condition that causes abnormal blood clotting throughout the body's blood vessels - this answers our questions as to why she was losing so much blood and why it wouldn't clot properly.

She has had small peaks and small valleys as the doctors say. She is not out of the woods yet, but OUR GIRL IS STRONG.

Currently, she is in a medically induced coma-like state so machines can assist her lungs, heart and kidneys. Family rotates visits to her all day, every day. We talk to her, hold her hands, play her favorite music albums (if you know, you know), and continue to support her through this. We know she's in there and can't wait for this all to be over so she can get back to being a mom to her two little girls.

This fundraiser has been started to assist with all things keeping our favorite little family going. Ian is unable to work as he is between the NICU, ICU and at home with Zoey daily. We ask that you consider donating to this fundraiser in support of Ian and his girls. We don't want him to worry about a single bill, rent payment, medical bill, income, etc and with your help, we can come together as a community and uplift their family through this hardship.

PLEASE, in lieu of texts or calls to Ian, we ask that you visit the Care Bridge website, where you can follow the updates on Joslyn & baby Coen's conditions. It will be linked HERE once available.

For any questions or donations, please contact Lejla below under organizers or at 314--600--7767.

Notes from the Organizer:

Thank you so much.