The Emilia Jean Heikkinen “Firecracker Fund” is being created for our sweet girl Emi and her family as she remains critically ill in the ICU at Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, MN. A little background on this amazing little girl. Emi Jean was born a fighter from the very start when she came into this world two months prematurely in January of 2024. She has been in and out of hospital care since her birth to address an extremely rare lung condition called Infantile Hemangioma (IH) that almost completely blocked her left lung. After multiple prolonged hospital stays at Masonic Children’s Hospital, a successful surgery on May 18th gave Emi and her parents the miracle of healthy lungs and easy breathing. Finally, at four months old, Emi and her family were able to discharge home with high hopes that Emi would finally be able to grow and develop in her newly restored health. On July 3rd, Emi’s lung doctors gave her parents the long-awaited news that her lungs were healed and healthy and Emi’s family were able to feel relieved for the first time since she was born. Despite being reassured many times over the past 2 months by doctors and many ER visits, Emi’s parents were still concerned about the changes they were seeing in her development and health. On July 24th, their worst fears were confirmed, and Emi was airlifted (for the 3rd time) back to the U of M Masonic Children’s Hospital with multiple intracranial abscesses, hydrocephalus, and severe infection in her brain tissue and spinal fluid(a Meningitis) Emi has had two neurosurgeries to place a total of four shunted catheter drains in her brain to allow the infected fluid to drain and relieve pressure. She remains intubated and sedated. Daily CTs and MRIs have shown new clots and vasospasms that are concerning. Heparin is needed although her condition in her brain and frequent OR trips will make this very complex to treat. Emi had a complete body MRI scan on Thursday, July 27 and the results will be discussed with Taylor and Garth in a care conference on Friday with the entire medical team. Updated will be posted here when they are able and Taylor has asked me to share her updates here as well as any helpful information for Emi's supporters. Emi needs her parents Taylor and Garth by her side now more than ever and her parents need our support to make that happen. Taylor and Garth are so grateful for the generous support they have received so far and asking for additional help, specifically money, is never an easy decision. The reality is that although much of Emi’s medical care is covered while in the hospital, the cost of having her parents with her is not. The funds raised will support Emi’s parents in maintaining a constant presence at her bedside while she is in the hospital as well as go towards any uncovered medical costs and future trips, equipment, supplies, or cares. The saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” This has NEVER been truer than in this moment. Emi needs HER VILLAGE to surround her with love and prayer and our financial support to give her the best possible chance for recovery. Please consider giving what you can while also keeping Emi, her family, and her medical team in your prayers.
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