Miranda & Oliver Derickson Fund
This young family is having to deal with a medical crisis with both Miranda and their new baby, Oliver. Six weeks prior to her due date, Miranda started to experience numbness in her tongue and lips, as well as some blurred vision. After several tests, she was sent home and told to return if her symptoms did not improve. The next day her symptoms worsened with numbness across her face and down her arms and legs. Upon arrival to the ER, she was experiencing contractions and admitted to the high-risk OB unit.
Further testing was performed and it was confirmed that Miranda had developed a rare autoimmune disease, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). GBS affects roughly 0.002% of the population every year. The cause of GBS is not entirely known, but it is believed to be caused by a prior bacterial or viral infection. GBS causes the body to attack its own nerve cells. The symptoms progressively worsen until reaching a plateau and then the patient starts to slowly recover. Up to 10% of GBS patients never make a full recovery. Miranda’s symptoms worsened with loss of eye control, unsteadiness, and difficulty controlling the muscles in the throat which required her to be intubated and placed on a ventilator.
While intubated Miranda went into labor six weeks early. Oliver was born on June 11th and immediately taken to the NICU. Due to his premature birth, Oliver was unable to breath on his own or nurse. He was given supplemental oxygen and a feeding tube was placed. He remains in the NICU on a feeding tube. Once he is able to eat on his own and gain sufficient weight, he will be able to go home. Miranda remained on a ventilator for 10 days. She has now been extubated and able to return home with constant care. She needs assistance with eating, walking, and holding objects. She is unable to hold Oliver on her own. She will soon be starting extensive, daily physical therapy.
Miranda and Oliver have a long recovery ahead of them. Miranda may not be able to work for the next six months to a year depending on her recovery. She had planned on returning to work after a month of maternity leave and taking Oliver with her to her job at Immanuel Lutheran Childcare and Preschool. Miranda and Oliver will need daily care so outside assistance will be needed to come to the home which insurance will not cover. Scott will need to return to work. At this point, we are still unsure when Oliver will come home. Scott and Miranda’s household income has been cut in half until Miranda is able to return to work. The medical expenses for both Miranda and Oliver continue to mount. Please help in the care of this young family. Any donations would be greatly appreciated.
