Help Kyle, Nicole & their Micro-Preemie
Donation protected
Monday, Feb 1, 2021
My husband Mike frantically wakes me up at 7:10. He says, “Check your phone immediately!”
“Wait, what? What’s going on?”
“Your brother Kyle just sent a text. Nicole is delivering the baby!”
“NO! Its not time! Its too early!” as I frantically search for my phone.
The group text to the family simply reads, “Quick Update, Nicole is delivering. She has a rare condition and has to deliver now. Love you all.”
Oh God. My stomach sank. Tears spontaneously ran down my face. I know the whole family was feeling the same thing. My poor baby bro and his beautiful wife. This was not supposed to be how it happened. This was not the plan. This is not fair!
I waited in a panic along with the rest of the family while we texted back and forth for moral support. We all felt so helpless. Kyle and Nicole live in Arizona while we are all here in Nevada, which now feels farther away than ever. Then, only a short time later, we get another text from Kyle:
“Baby is born. He is super small, but crying and seemingly going to be OK. Nicole is getting patched up now. She is doing good also.”
Baby Henry Augustus Truhill, named after his Great Great Grandfather. Born at only 25 weeks. Weighing in at 1 lb. He is considered a micro-preemie.
Mom had Pre-eclampsia, a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure, high-levels of protein in the urine and among other things, can cause damage to the liver and kidneys. Nicole’s life was at risk and so Little Henry had to make his debut.
How scary this must have been for them both. I can’t even imagine, because I know how scared I was and I wasn’t even there, nor is this my child. But you know what? Miracles do happen! This little guy came out crying. CRYING! And breathing on his own. The doctors said Baby Henry is the smallest baby they have had in over eight years are giving him a 50/50 chance---but I know he will be on the positive side of that, and what do they know anyway.
As I write this, it is day 2, February 2nd. Last night Henry had a blood transfusion to improve his red blood cells to carry oxygen to body tissues, brain and heart. Kyle got to go see him afterwards and said he already looked better. His thigh is about the size of Kyles’ pinky finger and he says his feet are the size of a G.I. Joe doll.
Today, Nicole got to go see our little Henry and even brought him some colostrum. He is now stable and doing well, but it is estimated that he will need to be in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) through end of May/June. Daily care in the NICU (according to NYTimes.com) is estimated to average $3,500 a day, and that does not include any special procedures or equipment (like UV lights or a blood transfusion).
Kyle and Nicole live an hour and a half from Tucson Medical Center in AZ. Gas costs, meals and incidentals will add up. Well, and then you have loss of income. Dad (Kyle) needs to be there for Mom (and baby) for a while and Mom needs to be close to Baby Henry to provide breast milk and Mommy love.
So, here’s where I change the subject just for a moment…I want to tell you a little about Kyle and Nicole. These two have been together since they were sophomores at Virginia City High School, NV together (insert collective high school sweetheart “AWWWWWW” here). If there are such things as soul mates, it is certainly these two. They really are best of friends and just have so much fun together and love each other so much; they get each other. 2020 was a tough year for everyone, but all in all, a pretty good year for these two. They got married (FINALLY) and got pregnant (well maybe not in that order, wink), but this is something they have both wanted for so long.
Kyle… Kyle, the fourth out of five children. He was the sweetest, most imaginative and hilarious kid. As an adult, he is still all of those things but I will add to the list, witty, intelligent, handsome, weird, creative and (Star Wars) nerdy. He’s always been a great uncle, rough housing with the nieces and nephews, sword fighting, swashbuckling, gun-slinging and playing pranks. Oh, and by the way, larger than life to them as he works in Tombstone as a manager, actor and stuntman, often portraying Wyatt Earp or Doc Holiday. He was BORN to be a Dad. And not just any Dad… the fun Dad. The Dad that helps them create havoc and get into trouble and make memories that the best childhoods are made of. Baby Henry is so lucky.
Then there is Nicole. The first time I met Nicole, I could tell how in love Kyle was with her…smitten really. Nicole and Kyle are all so perfect for each other. She is the Leia to his Han Solo. She is kind, super smart, well-read, studious, fun-loving and so good-hearted. She has always welcomed our entire family into her life and she has always naturally fit in to ours. She is my sister and I cannot wait to see what an incredible mother she becomes. Again, Baby Henry is so lucky. And guess what? I got a text from her this morning (now morning of Day 3, Feb. 3rd, as I finish writing this) that she was able to touch the baby last night. She is over the moon about that, but also in despair over not being able to be by little Henry’s bedside while she is also still healing and getting her blood pressure under control.
So now that you have a little bit of background, here it is...they need help. I’m asking because I know they won’t. Nicole is a Program Services Evaluator with the State of AZ and has decent Insurance, but that will only cover so much. Out-of-pocket expenses will be staggering. And of course, the non-medical costs will stack up too. These guys have a long road ahead of them that will certainly have twists and turns that no one can predict, but the last thing they need is to go bankrupt in the process and worry about how they will provide basic needs let alone other requirements needed as new and first-time parents of a pre-term baby.
We know times are difficult for everyone right now as we still suffer the wrath of 2020, but if you are in any position to donate anything you can now as well as through this journey, we will promise to keep the updates coming your way. They say raising a child takes a village, but supporting this micro-preemie might just take a metropolis or two. Thank you in advance for you caring, prayers, positive thoughts, vibes, virtual hugs, love and support. Baby Henry, Kyle, Nicole and our entire family appreciate it from the bottom of our hearts! Oh, and please share, share, share!
#helphenry #ourherohenry #micropreemie #microbutmighty #preemiepower #preemiestrong #preemiebaby #preemielife #preemielove #preemiesupport #support #fundraiser #fundraise
Preparing for family life over Christmas.
My husband Mike frantically wakes me up at 7:10. He says, “Check your phone immediately!”
“Wait, what? What’s going on?”
“Your brother Kyle just sent a text. Nicole is delivering the baby!”
“NO! Its not time! Its too early!” as I frantically search for my phone.
The group text to the family simply reads, “Quick Update, Nicole is delivering. She has a rare condition and has to deliver now. Love you all.”
Oh God. My stomach sank. Tears spontaneously ran down my face. I know the whole family was feeling the same thing. My poor baby bro and his beautiful wife. This was not supposed to be how it happened. This was not the plan. This is not fair!
I waited in a panic along with the rest of the family while we texted back and forth for moral support. We all felt so helpless. Kyle and Nicole live in Arizona while we are all here in Nevada, which now feels farther away than ever. Then, only a short time later, we get another text from Kyle:
“Baby is born. He is super small, but crying and seemingly going to be OK. Nicole is getting patched up now. She is doing good also.”
Baby Henry Augustus Truhill, named after his Great Great Grandfather. Born at only 25 weeks. Weighing in at 1 lb. He is considered a micro-preemie.
Mom had Pre-eclampsia, a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure, high-levels of protein in the urine and among other things, can cause damage to the liver and kidneys. Nicole’s life was at risk and so Little Henry had to make his debut.
How scary this must have been for them both. I can’t even imagine, because I know how scared I was and I wasn’t even there, nor is this my child. But you know what? Miracles do happen! This little guy came out crying. CRYING! And breathing on his own. The doctors said Baby Henry is the smallest baby they have had in over eight years are giving him a 50/50 chance---but I know he will be on the positive side of that, and what do they know anyway.
As I write this, it is day 2, February 2nd. Last night Henry had a blood transfusion to improve his red blood cells to carry oxygen to body tissues, brain and heart. Kyle got to go see him afterwards and said he already looked better. His thigh is about the size of Kyles’ pinky finger and he says his feet are the size of a G.I. Joe doll.
Today, Nicole got to go see our little Henry and even brought him some colostrum. He is now stable and doing well, but it is estimated that he will need to be in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) through end of May/June. Daily care in the NICU (according to NYTimes.com) is estimated to average $3,500 a day, and that does not include any special procedures or equipment (like UV lights or a blood transfusion).
Kyle and Nicole live an hour and a half from Tucson Medical Center in AZ. Gas costs, meals and incidentals will add up. Well, and then you have loss of income. Dad (Kyle) needs to be there for Mom (and baby) for a while and Mom needs to be close to Baby Henry to provide breast milk and Mommy love.
So, here’s where I change the subject just for a moment…I want to tell you a little about Kyle and Nicole. These two have been together since they were sophomores at Virginia City High School, NV together (insert collective high school sweetheart “AWWWWWW” here). If there are such things as soul mates, it is certainly these two. They really are best of friends and just have so much fun together and love each other so much; they get each other. 2020 was a tough year for everyone, but all in all, a pretty good year for these two. They got married (FINALLY) and got pregnant (well maybe not in that order, wink), but this is something they have both wanted for so long.
Kyle… Kyle, the fourth out of five children. He was the sweetest, most imaginative and hilarious kid. As an adult, he is still all of those things but I will add to the list, witty, intelligent, handsome, weird, creative and (Star Wars) nerdy. He’s always been a great uncle, rough housing with the nieces and nephews, sword fighting, swashbuckling, gun-slinging and playing pranks. Oh, and by the way, larger than life to them as he works in Tombstone as a manager, actor and stuntman, often portraying Wyatt Earp or Doc Holiday. He was BORN to be a Dad. And not just any Dad… the fun Dad. The Dad that helps them create havoc and get into trouble and make memories that the best childhoods are made of. Baby Henry is so lucky.
Then there is Nicole. The first time I met Nicole, I could tell how in love Kyle was with her…smitten really. Nicole and Kyle are all so perfect for each other. She is the Leia to his Han Solo. She is kind, super smart, well-read, studious, fun-loving and so good-hearted. She has always welcomed our entire family into her life and she has always naturally fit in to ours. She is my sister and I cannot wait to see what an incredible mother she becomes. Again, Baby Henry is so lucky. And guess what? I got a text from her this morning (now morning of Day 3, Feb. 3rd, as I finish writing this) that she was able to touch the baby last night. She is over the moon about that, but also in despair over not being able to be by little Henry’s bedside while she is also still healing and getting her blood pressure under control.
So now that you have a little bit of background, here it is...they need help. I’m asking because I know they won’t. Nicole is a Program Services Evaluator with the State of AZ and has decent Insurance, but that will only cover so much. Out-of-pocket expenses will be staggering. And of course, the non-medical costs will stack up too. These guys have a long road ahead of them that will certainly have twists and turns that no one can predict, but the last thing they need is to go bankrupt in the process and worry about how they will provide basic needs let alone other requirements needed as new and first-time parents of a pre-term baby.
We know times are difficult for everyone right now as we still suffer the wrath of 2020, but if you are in any position to donate anything you can now as well as through this journey, we will promise to keep the updates coming your way. They say raising a child takes a village, but supporting this micro-preemie might just take a metropolis or two. Thank you in advance for you caring, prayers, positive thoughts, vibes, virtual hugs, love and support. Baby Henry, Kyle, Nicole and our entire family appreciate it from the bottom of our hearts! Oh, and please share, share, share!
#helphenry #ourherohenry #micropreemie #microbutmighty #preemiepower #preemiestrong #preemiebaby #preemielife #preemielove #preemiesupport #support #fundraiser #fundraise
Preparing for family life over Christmas.Organizer and beneficiary
Nicole Maddox
Organizer
Reno, NV
Kyle Truhill
Beneficiary