The Lindsay Family - Baby Maverick Wilder

Wednesday, June 24th, 2020, Maverick Wilder Lindsay was born at 7:32pm. My sister, Taylor, gave birth to the most beautiful baby boy, weighing in at 6lbs, 11oz and 19.5in long. Unknowingly, Maverick had experienced trauma in the womb sometime in the last week that he was supposed to arrive. The plan for Taylor's delivery from the start was to be induced on her due date and thank goodness that she was before any further trauma could be done before his arrival. Taylor was able to hold her first newborn baby for only a handful of seconds before he was whisked away from her. Philip, my sister's husband was able to be by Maverick's side while the doctors worked on him. His lungs were compromised and had to be suctioned. A chest X-ray had to be done, and an IV was given to administer antibiotics to guard against pneumonia and infection. In order to care for Maverick in the best way, he had to be air lifted to another hospital. Taylor had to say goodbye to her baby boy, listening to the helicopter over head and Philip had to leave his wife to be with his son.

Friday, June 26th, Taylor was finally able to hold her son again. Due to COVID, Taylor and Philip were not able to be with Maverick in the NICU at the same time. Each one of them took 12 hour shifts, 7am to 7pm. They had to leave their baby boy there overnight and wait for news in the coming mornings. Maverick was put on oxygen due to his weakened lungs and he and his tiny body were healing.

Sunday, June 28th, this sweet family of three was cleared to go home! They spent the next few days cuddling, and loving on one another, taking pictures and soaking in all of his perfect-ness.

Monday, July 6th, Maverick was showing signs of labored breathing. He was taken into the emergency room, just Taylor and him while Philip anxiously waited in the parking lot for updates, due to COVID. It was then decided that Maverick needed to be air lifted to another hospital once again. Maverick had many tests done, with many specialists called in to see him. More chest X-rays, an EKG, blood work, urinalysis, and a swallow study was done. He had virus testing, and COVID testing done as well. A Pulmonologist came to see him, and a Cardiologist was also called in, as well as a GI specialist, and a Speech Pathologist. It was discovered that his lungs were inflamed and the cause of it could be due to aspiration. While Maverick was feeding, milk was being sent into his lungs. He was also unable to maintain his oxygen level without the  oxygen machine.

Throughout the week that Maverick spent in the ICU, Taylor and Philip again needed to take shifts, but this time they were able to spend the nights with him. My mom had also been in town to support them and she was also able to spend time with Maverick, ask all the questions and get all the answers for her grandson, her daughter and son in law. Family and friends, and the community that my sister and brother in law are a part of have helped and are helping in many ways. They needed to stay near the hospital, and being that they lived over 2 hours away, hotel stays were taken care of for them, money for meals was sent, cooked meals arrived, sweet messages, thoughts and prayers continued to flutter in.

July 13th, Maverick was cleared to leave the ICU. His oxygen levels were strong enough to be maintained on his own as long as he stayed in a lower altitude, since Taylor and Philip live in the mountains of Arizona. For the next few days, they continued their stay in a hotel until Maverick was ready to be taken home.

July 17th, Taylor, Philip and Maverick were cleared to return to their home! Maverick is currently on oxygen all through the day and through the night to aid his breathing. He and his lungs are getting stronger day by day. He will continue to have doctors appointments, specialist visits, and future appointments to aid his growth and healing, but he is well on his way to recovery!

Taylor and Philip tried to conceive for two years prior to getting pregnant and I was there to hug and hold my sister as we cried and laughed and danced with her positive pregnancy test in hand. Maverick is supposed to be here with us, and that was a proven miracle time and time again in the last few weeks. Even though I have yet to meet my sweet, sweet nephew, I love him with all of my heart. With me being in Illinois and them living in Arizona, I have not been able to be there for my family or to kiss this sweet boy yet. I can't be there to hold my sister as she navigates through this anxious time or hug my brother in law who has the whole world in his hands to take care of now. But I knew I had to help in some way, and this is it.  At this time, they are unsure how much insurance will cover, but hopefully it is significant. If there is anything you are able to donate to ease the stress of this time emotionally, mentally, physically and financially, please do so. Let's bless them if we can. Baby Maverick Wilder thanks you!