Help Baby Ishaan Heal

Dear Friends and Family,

We come to you today with heavy hearts and a plea for support for Nasha and Manny, who are experiencing an unimaginable challenge with their precious 5 month old, Ishaan Rue.

On January third, Nasha and Manny faced the inconceivable on their way back from a family vacation when their son Ishaan started vomiting blood. Rushing to the nearest ER, a Kaiser facility in Fontana (without Kaiser insurance), they witnessed their baby's health deteriorate. With persistence, Ishaan received fluids and was then diagnosed with a UTI. Then, unexpectedly Ishaan went into cardiac arrest and a swarm of doctors and nurses crowded into the room to resuscitate him, making it the longest 10 minutes of his parents' lives.

Transferred to UCLA Children's Hospital after troubling incidents at Kaiser, Ishaan underwent extensive tests. Initially attributed to a UTI, Nasha and Manny insisted on exploring other possibilities, leading to a critical discovery by a pediatric GI surgeon.

An exploratory surgery uncovered a congenital band of skin around a portion of his small intestine, causing it to twist and block blood supply, resulting in bowel ischemia. They removed 20cm of the small intestine, leaving some slightly damaged parts that seemed likely to heal. Two days later, the surgeon deemed the remaining part healthy and they chose to connect it. However, over the next few days Ishaan's white blood cell count continued to rise, and his abdomen remained firm. After a few more days, a third surgery became necessary to remove the deteriorating bowel section initially considered healthy.

Ishaan endured three abdominal surgeries, resulting in a temporary ostomy bag.

Ishaan is continuing to recover in the hospital and in 6-8 weeks will need an additional surgery to reconnect his intestine and remove the ostomy bag.

He is on a path to recovery, but the financial burden weighs heavily on his parents. Sleeping at the hospital since January 3rd, Nasha paused her private practice, and Manny is on leave.

The road ahead is long and filled with medical complexities that no parent should ever have to endure. We know Nasha and Manny are grateful for the support and love they've received so far, and that's why we're launching this GoFundMe campaign. We aim to ease the financial burden that comes with unexpected medical expenses, life at the hospital, and the need for basic necessities (mortgage payments, groceries and meals etc.) during this challenging time.

In times like these, every act of kindness, no matter how small, becomes a ray of hope. Please consider donating to support Ishaan, Nasha, and Manny on their journey. Your generosity will not only assist with the practical challenges they face but will also serve as a beacon of love, reminding them that they are not alone in this journey.

Your support can make a difference in Ishaan's healing journey. Light a candle, send positive thoughts, and consider donating to help this resilient, happy 5-month-old and his family navigate through these challenging times.

Funds will assist in paying Ishaan's medical bills, including an $18,000 out of network bill from Kaiser, and a 28+ day hospital stay. As well as help out with cost of living expenses while we're unable to work during this time.