Help Support - New Life With Baby Cook

Hello friends, family, and acquaintances,

Many of you know me (Marissa) and my husband, Shane. In May of 2022, we found out we were expecting our first child and we were over the moon about it! My due date was January 26, 2023 -- this would give us plenty of time to get finances in order, decorate the nursery, and plan for Baby Cook.

On November 15, 2022, our lives changed. After having a healthy pregnancy I was admitted to the hospital for preeclampsia. This emergency came out of nowhere, as I never struggled with my blood pressure before. I was told by my doctor that I wouldn't be leaving the hospital until our baby was born. The goal was to keep me stable for the next 4 weeks, to guarantee growth and health for Baby Cook -- I lasted 5 days. My blood pressure could no longer be maintained and I delivered our baby boy, via emergency c-section. Our son was born on my birthday at the gestational age of 30 weeks, a whopping 10 weeks early; he was a micro-preemie.

During the month of December, our baby boy would spend life in the NICU while I tried my best to breast pump to help supply our baby with "liquid gold" to help him grow. Unfortunately, I suffered a case of mastitis on my left side, causing my body to have a fever for over a week, not responding to the initial antibiotics given. I then had to go to the ER and was given a new antibiotic, which finally got the infection under control. During this time, I was unable to pump and supply my baby with the proper nutrition. Once I finished the antibiotics, five days later I found myself back in the ER with mastitis and cellulitis. I was admitted to the hospital where I stayed for 5 days. After this situation, I was no longer able to pump or breastfeed. This meant our baby boy had to transition to formula at the gestational age of 37 weeks.

Currently, we are going on 2 months in the NICU -- Baby Cook has struggled with growth, major reflux, constipation, and a heart murmur. We have visited our baby boy every day since he's been in the hospital. As he continues his stay, we have found out that our baby boy will continue to struggle with GI issues even after he comes home. We will have to follow up with the cardiologist, the GI doctor, the eye doctor, and the Developmental specialist. When he comes home we will have to be diligent with feeds, weight management, along with all of his developmental needs.

Due to the extent of our baby boy's medical and developmental issues, we have decided it's best for both of us to stay home and for me to try and find a remote job.

Our current situation with Baby Cook puts us in a financial bind. I'm currently looking for jobs, but we know that as time goes on, we will have issues paying basic bills. We know once Baby Cook comes home, the medical bills will hit, and the need to purchase special formula, diapers and doctor's appointments will add up.

We are asking our friends and family -- as we continue to pray -- to help us meet the needs at hand. We didn't expect all of the financial hardships to come as they did, but due to my extended leave of absence from work without pay, we are seeing our savings dwindle and future medical expenses add up.

We are grateful for any size contribution you are able to give, this will help our family to stay afloat as we transition our lives for the benefit of our miracle baby boy.

Thank you and God Bless,

Marissa and Shane Cook