Shanis (Abby, Omar) Family Support

This GoFundMe is being setup on behalf of the Shanis family by cousins. On December 29, Abby took Natalie to the hospital for RSV. They took an x-ray and also discovered that Natalie's heart was enlarged. The left coronary artery was not working properly, and the left side of her heart was not getting the oxygen it needed to function properly. The Doctors and nurses took immediate action, and Natalie had open heart surgery on December 30.

The surgery went well, but the next 48 hours are crucial to see if the heart will be able to function on its own. If not, Natalie may need a heart transplant. Currently, Natalie is in ICU and on a ventilator. Natalie is looking at several weeks, if not months, in the hospital.

Natalie is 2 months old and has an older brother, Essam (4) and Amelia (2).

Those of you who know Abby, know that she has faced many medical adversities herself. Through each one, she has maintained a smile and her humor. The cousin writing this post would describe herself as "stiff" and "not creative"...especially when compared to Abby's creativity and imagination. The ability Abby has to make her children and every single person she crosses laugh is undeniable. I know that even in this current situation she is facing, she will bless the lives of everyone she comes across. Abby's faith is strong, and she shared the news of Natalie with the verse below.

The ones of us setting this up are hoping that this page and financial support will take some anxiety and fear away from both Abby and Omar as the next few weeks hold many uncertainties. Essam and Amelia are going to get extra special time with family over the coming weeks while Abby and Omar focus on Natalie.