Willingham Twin Warriors
We would like to introduce you to Kaylee Rae and Korra Marie Willingham.
On December 8th, 2014 my husband Chris, our almost-two-year-old son Calvin and myself settled into the OBGYN office for the first ultrasound of our 2nd bundle of joy. At 19 weeks, we were fairly surprised to learn that our little bundle was not only our 2nd, but also our 3rd! After the initial shock had subdued, we began to start the process of preparing for the life as parents of multiples.
A few weeks later, on December 31st, 2014, we had an ultrasound scheduled with the Maternal Fetal Medicine clinic. This ultrasound answered the question that the initial ultrasound had not - we were having monoamniotic/monochorionic (MoMo) twins. According to statistics, only about 1 % of twins are Momo's - meaning that they share the same amniotic sac and chorionic membrane. This alone was enough to fast-track us from a "normal" pregnancy to a high risk one. Due to the possibility that they can become entangled in one another's umbilicle cords, I would need to be hospitalized from 24 weeks on for constant monitoring to ensure the utmost safety of our little girls.
If that were not enough, the ultrasound that day lead to some questions about the girl's development; it seemed that Twin A (Kaylee) had the Dandy-Walker Varient, which is a small deformity in the cerebelum. Twin B (Korra), however, appeared to have some serious problems with her heart. A second ultrasound with the MFM clinic confirmed it; Kaylee's brain was looking better, but Korra's heart was definitely not in good shape.
On Monday, January 12th, 2015, I was admitted into the local hospital for the meticulous monitorization of the twins - this has included not only multiple ultrasounds and nonstress tests, but also a fetal MRI to check their brain development and a fetal echocardiogram to check their hearts.
The echocardiogram, performed yesterday afternoon (1/13/2015) diagnosed Korra with "Tricuspid Atresia". Essentially, what the doctors had first assumed was Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome (in which the right atrium and right ventricle of the heart are underdeveloped,) turned out to be the failure of the entrance valve (the tricupsid) developing properly. Due to this, the right ventricle of her heart has not grown; leaving the left ventricle to assume the duties of both. On top of this, the major arteries (the aorta and pulmonary artery,) appear to be transposed; meanining that their positions are switched.
As I'm sure you have guessed by now, all of this means that Korra is going to require extensive heart surgery following her delivery sometime in the next several weeks. As our local hospital does not have the pediatric cardaic surgeons needed to perform these operations, the twins and myself are being transported to Denver, where they will be delivered and Korra's heart surgeries will be performed at Children's Hospital.
Since I had already been hospitalized for monitoring in the event that something may happen; I found out a few hours ago that they are transferring me to Denver tomorrow morning (1/15/2015). This was definitely a surprise, as the discussion of the doctors yesterday made it sound like we had a few weeks to prepare.
The reason we are asking for help is this; I need my husband and my son to accompany me to Denver. As they would not be allowed to stay in the hospital with me, we are needing to find them housing and amenities elsewhere. There are several hotels around the hospital that offer discounts for families of loved ones staying there, so we are looking at finding them a space somewhere around there.
Unfortunately, due to my condition it was necessary for me to quit working a little over a month ago - and my husband has been unemployed (not for lack of trying), for a few months, so we are very short on funds. To paint the picture; we have been living with my gracious in-laws and relying on the help of family and friends for quite a while.
It is with a heavy heart that I ask for this help, now. I am scared, and would rather not spend the next few months in Denver alone, since the vast majority of my support system (e.g. family and friends,) is local.
If there is any way you are able to help, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Several times over the past few years I have had to rely on the kindness of strangers, and I am consistently humbled by the generosity of people helping others. Prayers and happy thoughts, crossed fingers, and anything else would also be appreciated in this trying time.
A little over a month ago I was almost half way through a routine, healthy pregnancy. How quickly things can change.
Thank you, very much.
Courtney Willingham