Henrich Family Medical Expenses

Now that we’re in the new year of 2024, we know that beautiful joys and memories will be happening for Mitch & Jessica Henrich, along with their newborn son, Bowen—but it also brings uncertainty over medical & financial unknowns. In the past few months, Bo was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a blockage in the brain that doesn’t let his spinal fluid drain, causing his brain to swell. He had a VP shunt placed running from his brain to his belly. During this time, Mitch also experienced a traumatic medical event. He had 2 blocked arteries in his heart, resulting in a heart attack at 30 years old. This required stents and eventually, an internal defibrillator being placed in his chest. 

Since then, both Mitch & Bo have struggled in their medical journeys, resulting in many more trips to the hospital. There are still months of follow-up appointments ahead of them.

Medical expenses don’t wait for recovery. Soon the Henrich family will be met with the costs of 2 life flight rides, numerous stays in the hospital, multiple life-threatening surgeries, and ongoing treatment. Jessica has also had to return back to work as a teacher after her maternity leave finished.  

The Henrich family is asking for your help in giving them prayers or a financial donation. They will be paying thousands of dollars in medical expenses and will likely not be able to do it on their own. Any amount of money makes a difference, so please consider donating! 

For a timeline and current updates in both Mitch & Bowen’s medical journeys, please keep reading:  

• October 16- Bowen Lee Henrich was born!
• October 30- At 2 weeks old, Bo was transported to Omaha’s Children’s Hospital. He was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a blockage in the brain that doesn’t let his spinal fluid drain, causing his brain to swell. He had a VP shunt placed that runs from his brain to his belly. 
  
• November 9th- Bowen’s incision site on his head was swelling quite a bit, so he had a shunt adjustment. 
• November 27th- Bo was still leaking fluid weeks later, so he was scheduled for a shunt revision surgery the next morning. The night before, Mitch complained of having some chest pain. In the morning, Jessica took Bo for his surgery, and Mitch went to the Pender ER to get checked. Mitch showed signs of a heart attack and was then life flighted to the hospital. He had 2 blocked arteries that both needed stents put in. 
• November 30- Mitch was heading home from the hospital and passed out in the car. He was quickly went to Lincoln to be seen at the Heart Hospital. After many tests, they made the choice to place an internal defibrillator in his chest. 
• Dec 3- After taking off Bo’s head bandage, the site was full of fluid again and was leaking spinal fluid. He had another shunt revision done on Dec 5th. 

• Several hospital follow-ups have happened since then. Bo continues to wear his bandage and will have a check-up on the 11th. Mitch is continuing to monitor his health.