Support for Joey and Charlie Zak

After two miscarriages, two surgeries and two long years of trying to get pregnant, my sister Annie and her husband Alex became pregnant with twin boys in April of this year. The boys passed all of the usual sonograms and the genetic testing and it was considered a healthy twin pregnancy. Annie and Alex, along with their families were so excited for the arrival of the babies in late December. That all changed at 24 weeks and five days when Annie unexpectedly delivered her twin boys on September 9th, Joey weighing just 1 lb. 10 ounces and Charlie 1lb 15 ounces. During the past two and a half months, the babies have been through more than most go through in a lifetime.

Baby Joey has had a brain bleed, sepsis, pneumonia, a PDA, and necrotizing enterocolitis. Joey has retinopathy and BPD (extremely underdeveloped/damaged lungs) and remains on a ventilator in the NICU in very critical condition. Many times over the past months the doctors have thought that this adorable, tiny fighter with downy soft hair and the face of an angel wouldn’t make it. Joey continues to fight to be with his family and his brother. He was transferred to Lurie hospital in Chicago for treatment while his brother remains at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield. Our hope is that Joey will get stronger and more stable so he can be transferred back to CDH to be with his brother Charlie.

Baby Charlie has had a very rough start as well. He also suffered a brain bleed at birth, had a PDA, and has battled through pneumonia. Charlie has an irregular heartbeat and needs hernia surgery. He was taken off the ventilator a month ago only to be put back on 5 days later. Last Friday, he again was extubated, and put on non-invasive ventilation. We hope that Charlie will soon be done with the ventilator for good. He is tiny, but mighty, and his big beautiful eyes melt your heart.

Both boys and their parents have a very long, tough road ahead. The babies are looking at many more months of hospitalization. Fortunately, the twins have fantastic, loving and devoted parents. Annie and Alex are juggling two critically ill babies in two different hospitals. Annie has not been home since she left for work one morning in early September. Annie and Alex rarely see each other, as they try to make sure that each of their little warriors has a parent partner at all times to help fight the never-ending battles.

Please keep this family in your prayers as they navigate these extraordinarily difficult times. The stress and worry they face each day with Joey and Charlie is overwhelming. Now medical bills have begun pouring in, adding a new element of fear and anxiety. These medical bills are creating a financial crisis that they have no hope to conquer alone. If you are able to donate to help them in these trying times, we will greatly appreciate it. Ann and Alex are so appreciative of the love and support they've received over these last few months. Even if you can't donate, please keep up the texts, letters, posts, prayers, and calls-- they need it all. Please feel free to share this post with anyone who might be interested.