Austin was born by c-section at Lake Forest Hospital on Monday, July 21st and was full term. When he was born, he had some fluid in his lungs and was in the NICU within 18 minutes after birth. The doctor gave him a medication that took care of the fluid, but his lungs were releasing air into the chest cavity. He was only 41 hours old when he was put on a ventilator. The doctors told Robert and Amber (dad & mom) that they needed to transfer Austin to Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. Three and a half hours later on July 23rd, the doctors and nurses at Lurie's were receiving and assessing his condition. The air in the chest cavity was larger, and they were going to try and remove it with a needle. However, more air came into the cavity. The doctor then proceeded to put in a chest tube which did help. BUT the chest tube moved and an hour later removed it and put in a new chest tube. This was done 5 time over the course of 12 hours. Finally, the last chest tube, the 5th or 6th one, stayed in place. As for where the air was coming from, there was a small hole in his lung but not sure if it was there prior to birth or after his birth. The hole did heal itself over the course of the next 5 days. His chest tube was removed on Monday, July 28th but he was still on the ventilator for another week. The doctor had a central line put into Austin's leg for the IV and medications. Austin was almost 2 weeks only when he was able to breathe on his own and learn to eat. He had lost weight and had to regain some of it before allowing him to go home. Austin came home on Wednesday, August 6th but still had to be monitored for weight gain. At 1 month old, he was given an all clear on his medical conditions. Mom and Dad are very grateful and blessed for all the support and prayers over the 2 ½ week journey. But now all the medical bills are coming in and adding up. Thankfully they have health insurance, however, the out-of-pocket expense is what they need assistance with. 

Robert, Amber and Austin appreciate any assistance you can help with