The Linehan Family

Hi! We are Elizabeth & Catie, and we're raising funds for our sister Stephanie and her beautiful family. As many of you know, due to kidney issues, their youngest Josiah (JoJo) had surgery about a year and a half ago, at 5 weeks old, with the intent that he would also require a second surgery at 18 months old. Along with the cost of his surgeries, they’ve had other medical surprises come up, including a difficult miscarriage of their precious 4th baby just a month ago, and we've had many family members and friends ask how they can help. 

We wanted to set up this page with details & updates for those of you who'd like to pray more specifically for them & their needs, and also for those of you who'd like to and are able to bless them with a monetary gift to help with medical costs.

For those of you who'd like more info, here are more in-depth details I received from Steph:

- When Steph was 20 weeks pregnant with Josiah, they found that his kidneys were extremely dilated. After keeping a close eye on it during the pregnancy, the urologist said it was most likely caused by 1 of 3 issues. Upon JoJo’s birth and further testing, it was determined he had all 3 issues (blockage, Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR), and Congenital Posterior Urethral Valves), as well as a kidney that was only working at 2% capacity. He had surgery at 5 weeks old (cutaneous pyelostomy) to provide a temporary solution until he was old enough for the major surgery.

- Now that JoJo is 18 months old, he is scheduled on December 7th to once again have invasive testing done at Children’s Hospital, so they can get a final look at how his kidneys are working before scheduling his surgery. For his surgery, the plan is to surgically go in and fix the 3 issues with his right kidney, and they will also need to completely remove JoJo's left kidney and ureter. This will be a major surgery that will be hard in many ways - physically for little JoJo, emotionally & mentally for Ken and Steph, and financially for their family.

Many have been following sweet JoJo's story since he was born and knew that this 2nd surgery would be coming. Thank you for your prayers and support

What some may not know is that Ken and Steph have recently experienced another large unexpected medical cost. While newly pregnant with their 4th baby, Steph endured a heartbreaking miscarriage and subsequent surgery about a month ago. 

These medical costs have added up, and we (Elizabeth & Catie) prayed about setting up this GoFundMe and sharing it with friends and family who are able to and want to help bless Steph's family financially.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

1) JoJo's invasive testing at Children’s Hospital on Wednesday, December 7th. He will need to be put under nitrous oxide for the testing, which will last 2 hours.

2) JoJo's upcoming surgery (we're not sure when this will be scheduled yet - most likely in the new year after the holidays).

3) Peace for Ken and Steph. After the recent loss of their baby, the struggle against anxiety & worry has been tough, and JoJo’s upcoming testing & surgery has felt daunting, overwhelming, and scary.

FINANCIAL NEEDS:

1) Please consider donating to this GoFundMe to help the Linehan family with their medical costs from JoJo's testing appointments, his surgeries, and Steph's surgery.

*Please note that all donations will be used solely for medical costs, and any donations they receive over that amount will be donated to someone else in need of donations for medical costs.

"The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:5b - 7, ESV