Kaden Strong - Medical and Funeral Expenses

UPDATE:

Kaden had his bronchoscopy today. The results were not good. It appears that his right lung is as affected as his left.. so a lobectomy is off the table. They will be having a big  team meeting on Thursday to decide what's next . 
They will be reaching out to care centers across the country. They do have one in Texas they are in communication with. 
At this point the only option may be a double lung transplant.. but since he is only 5 months that comes with so many extra risks. Olivia said he can't be on ECMO for long term.. while they wait if a transplant is an option.  Just continue to pray for the kids as they navigate this very difficult time and help them be confident in any and all of the decisions they  and  the doctors make. 

Right now, a hospital in Texas is reviewing Kadens case for a double lung transplant.. if they take his case.. at the minimum.. they would have to stay in Texas at least 3 months post op. They do not have a Ronald McDonald house so they would have to rent and pay all their bills here. The bills and living expenses are already adding up and will continue to do so. 
Both Olivia and Mykel have been off of work for the past month and will continue to do so. 
Your continued generosity and love has been so wonderful.  




Hi friend!!! Thank you for coming to view Kaden's story.

If you continue reading below, you will find some more information about this miraculous little boy and his family. Additionally, you can refer to this page for updates from Kaden's adoring Grammy, Wendy. 
She has also started a Caring Bridge page which she will be updating, you can view that here: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kadenferguson/journal/view/id/61562d99a3e3fd7f13832954

I wanted to share sweet Kaden's story with you, in the hopes of raising awareness for AVM (Arteriovenous malformation) and also in the hopes of helping his story to be passed on so that we can help this beautiful, strong, young family who has been through so much!

Kaden is a 4 month old loving baby boy, born on May 26th to his delighted mother and father. Kaden is Olivia (Stainbrook) Ferguson and Mykel Ferguson's first child. Olivia works as a Physical Therapy Assistant, and Mykel works as a Firefighter. They were married last October on a gorgeous fall day, their love for one another prevalent at every moment. Both have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic; Olivia face to face with patients daily, taking care of people in need. And Mykel, a courageous firefighter who willingly puts himself in harm’s way to help others. Olivia and Mykel are the most loving, compassionate, optimistic, and selfless individuals I know. They would do anything for ANYONE, and they need our help now. This young family has not had an easy road. After Kaden was born, he was in the NICU for 19 days. Recently, Kaden has been doing very well! All his appointments and checkups have gone well, and Olivia and Mykel have been adoring spending time with his precious self. Fast forward to the end of September. When a nightmare started to become reality. 

Last week Olivia was at her parents’ house, trying to feed Kaden, when she noticed that he was a little bit more fussy than normal and wasn't wanting to eat. She immediately called her pediatrician and scheduled an appointment for the next day. While at the doctor’s office, his doctor noticed that Kaden was looking a little blue. She swiftly had Kaden taken by ambulance to the ER with dangerously low oxygen.  Kaden was in rough shape at this point and there were so many unknowns. Olivia and Mykel were in shock. Their little baby boy was at 30% oxygen and had to be put in a coma and on a ventilator. Kaden was then transported to Levine Children's Hospital and was diagnosed with AVM (Arteriovenous malformation). Kaden has a malformation in his lungs which are not producing enough oxygen. After the doctors tried to do a procedure to help Kaden, that failed, they told Olivia and Mykel that there was nothing more they could do for Kaden, other than keep him comfortable until he passed away. Distraught, they prayed, they prayed so hard for a miracle. They were in disbelief, heartbroken, devastated. If it wasn't for his Mom making him a doctor’s appointment, or his doctor noticing something was wrong, what would have happened then? It seemed like God was taking the wheel and making sure Kaden was getting taken care of. Olivia, Mykel, and their families grieved and prayed all night, his doctors calling all over the country to try to find someone who could possibly help this sweet baby. The next day, a miracle was granted. 

A doctor from UNC Chapel Hill agreed to take on Kaden's case. Kaden had a chance. He was life flighted to Chapel Hill and was prepped for surgery. Kaden is on ECMO which essentially pumps his blood out, oxygenates it, and then pumps it back in. So far, Kaden has had two procedures done which have both been successful. He is slowly getting weaned off ECMO to see how the procedures are working. Kaden, his parents, their families, and the doctors have truly been through the worst, and somehow, they are still moving forward with a positive and grateful outlook. When I asked Olivia how she was doing she bravely said "I cannot be sad any longer, because I have today with Kaden. And a few days ago, I didn't have that. I am just so grateful for today".  We are praying that Kaden will be able to be transported back to Levine's Hospital so he will be closer to home. However, this little warrior and his family still need our help! 

Mykel and Olivia are both out of work right now so that they can spend every single precious second with their son that they can. Even though they are going through a nightmare, that doesn't mean that the medical bills stop coming. We would like to raise enough funds so that both Olivia and Mykel can continue to love on their baby boy and not have to be overwhelmed by the stressor of medical expenses. The future for K's procedures and the length of his stay in the hospital is unknown at this point. When Kaden does get to come home, it’s going to be a slow process getting him back to being healthy and strong enough to be able to attend daycare.  Another issue is that Kaden's Mommy has exhausted her FMLA during his birth and his time spent in the NICU.  We would love for her to be able to stay home with Kaden to care for him until he is ready. After all, no one takes as good of care of you as your Mom, right?! 

Please help us to share their story so that we can continue to help this incredible family who help others, every single day. We are so beyond blessed for each and every single one of you for your prayers, thoughts, love, well wishes, and donations. Please continue to lift Kaden and his family up in prayer. 

From the Ferguson and Stainbrook family: there are not words to accurately encompass our gratitude and appreciation. Thank you so much for everything you have done for our family. We are so blessed. We love you all.