Baby Oaklee Renae McSweeney
Donation protected
Oaklee Renae McSweeney was born on November 23, 2018 in Children’s Hospital in Omaha with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, in other words, the left half of her heart never formed. She was born with a few more problems than typically expected with this syndrome. As a result, Oaklee had to undergo a 14-hour surgery to repair and connect her pulmonary veins to her single chamber heart. She was only 10 hours old prior to this surgery. Her surgeon worked as quickly as possible on her tiny little heart and veins but unfortunately due to the length of time her heart was stopped, Oaklee had to be put on the ECMO machine to help sustain her and allow her time to recover.

Oaklee remains in the NICU at Omaha Children’s Hospital. She is a fighter and has overcome many obstacles thus far but continues to hit roadblocks along the way and at this time it is unknown the length of her stay in the hospital.

Oaklee’s parents, Ashley and Ryan, are currently with her in Omaha at Children’s hospital during her recovery. Ryan is a decorated US Marine Corps combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient for his actions in Afghanistan.

He recently started working for their small rural city. Ashley is a local Sandhills girl from the Northwest portion of Nebraska and is a rural school teacher but Children’s Hospital is 5 hours from their home. Oaklee also has a 2 ½ year old big brother who is being cared for by grandparents and friends.

Like me, many friends and family have shown love and support through messages and prayer, but I wanted to create another tangible way we could all help them out right now. The last thing Ashley and Ryan should have to worry about as they go through this is any financial burden resulting from this long hospital stay. While they have health insurance, so many extra expenses can add up quickly, like the cost of fuel from driving to and from Children’s Hospital as well as extra food expenses, eating so many meals out away from home, and probably extra medical bills and more that they aren't even aware of.
Thank you so much for your generous love and support. It means more than you can know to our family.
Oaklee remains in the NICU at Omaha Children’s Hospital. She is a fighter and has overcome many obstacles thus far but continues to hit roadblocks along the way and at this time it is unknown the length of her stay in the hospital.
Oaklee’s parents, Ashley and Ryan, are currently with her in Omaha at Children’s hospital during her recovery. Ryan is a decorated US Marine Corps combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient for his actions in Afghanistan.
He recently started working for their small rural city. Ashley is a local Sandhills girl from the Northwest portion of Nebraska and is a rural school teacher but Children’s Hospital is 5 hours from their home. Oaklee also has a 2 ½ year old big brother who is being cared for by grandparents and friends.
Like me, many friends and family have shown love and support through messages and prayer, but I wanted to create another tangible way we could all help them out right now. The last thing Ashley and Ryan should have to worry about as they go through this is any financial burden resulting from this long hospital stay. While they have health insurance, so many extra expenses can add up quickly, like the cost of fuel from driving to and from Children’s Hospital as well as extra food expenses, eating so many meals out away from home, and probably extra medical bills and more that they aren't even aware of.
Thank you so much for your generous love and support. It means more than you can know to our family.
Organizer
Amy Vivian McGough
Organizer
Valentine, NE