Join Jordan

Written by one of our friends:

"Anyone who knows the VanDerMeulen family will know that they are some of the most selfless, caring, hard-working and giving individuals you will ever meet, which makes this cause for their daughter, Jordan even more worthy.

Kirsten and Mike were overwhelmed with joy when they found out they were pregnant with a beautiful baby girl, who they decided to name Jordan. The first trimester went very smoothly and Jordan's development seemed to be right on track. However, life came to a screeching halt at their 20 week check-up appointment. The doctor's thought Jordan's anatomy was shifted and wanted Mike and Kirsten to go for a more detailed ultrasound at Helen DeVos hospital in Grand Rapids. The high risk Doctors determined that Jordan has a severe right-sided Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) that has caused all her internal organs to be pushed up on the right side. This has severely impacted the development of Jordan's lungs. They found out no matter the severity, Jordan will be delivered and taken right to the NICU to be under extensive treatment. Shortly after she is stabilized, she will undergo an operation to repair the Hernia. Her stay in the NICU could be several months depending on how well she does. If it is too severe, she may not even make it.

At 28 weeks, after further monitoring and evaluation Mike and Kirsten decided to go to Mott's Children's hospital at University of Michigan for another opinion as their CDH program seemed to be bigger and further along. The lung growth was found to be severely hindered, and Jordan's outlook did not look good. The next day the Surgeon's at U of M contacted Mike and Kirsten and let them know they had been thinking about Jordan and were on the phone with colleagues around the country that also specialize in CDH. It was determined that Jordan would be eligible for a new procedure that is done at the Texas Children's Hospital in Houston that could help Jordan's lung development along, and possibly give her a better chance at life.  

Mike and Kirsten jumped at the opportunity to help their little girl however they could, so they boarded the first flight to Houston. The procedure involves inserting a balloon into Jordan's trachea, which will prohibit her from exhaling any amniotic fluid. This will force the fluid back into her lungs to encourage lung growth.  After 4-6 weeks, the balloon will be removed and Kirsten and Jordan will continue to be monitored. Given the severity of this case, Kirsten, Mike and Jordan will have to stay in Texas for the whole time the balloon is in and possibly even have to deliver there depending on how things progress. Kirsten can only be a few miles from the hospital at all times and will be on modified bed rest. As imaginable, the medical expenses, as well as living expenses, in downtown Houston are expected to be astronomical, and could be potentially even higher if they have to stay there for delivery and Jordan's NICU stint. While the financial aspect of this situation is the last thing Kirsten and Mike are concerned about, we have set up a page in Jordan's honor to help off-set the expenses so Kirsten and Mike can focus on what is most important, Jordan.

Please Join Jordan and the VanDerMeulen family and give back as they would for us. Every penny is greatly appreciated. Any outstanding balances will be be paid forward and donated back to other children who are in similar situations.

Thank you for your time and consideration and please keep the VanDerMeulens in your thoughts and prayers through this very difficult time."

For more information on Jordan's case and the progression of her development, please visit her blog at www.caringbridge.org/visit/joinjordan.