Local family needs help, 2 kids having surgery

[Guest guest]

Hi all, we really need to band together and support this local family who is a

member of the groups I'm posting this to.  Please read on, and consider what you

can do to pitch in.  Many thanks!

A few weeks ago I posted about Faith Whelan, who has been in the hospital with

her newborn son for the lung issues he's had since his birth on 11/29/11.  I

just talked to Faith, and the cause has been discovered: baby Arden has a hole

in his esophagus, so breastmilk has been going into his lungs every time he eats

or has reflux.  The good news is that surgery can fix this, and the surgery has

a high success rate.  The bad news is that Faith and baby Arden are still in the

hospital, have been for weeks, and her husband has eaten up all of his time off

from work while caring for their other two sons at home.

In addition to this rocky postpartum, they just found out that their 19 month

old, Nils, is also in need of surgery.  He has 2 fused sutures in his head

(craniostenosis) and needs to have 2 surgeries to correct this and avoid serious

complications.  This will likely be pushed back to mid-February, so they can

focus on the more urgent surgery of newborn Arden.

HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP:

FOOD:

I apologize if my previous emails about the family's food preferences have made

their diet sound too overwhelming or daunting to take on.  Please allow me to

clarify: the Whelans avoid factory farmed meat and junk food.  Virtually

anything else is fine.  They prefer organic, whole foods, and typically eat a

diet of traditional foods, but please do not let this deter you from bringing

food.  If you are unsure about the quality of meat they prefer, feel free to

bring them a vegetarian meal.  Their meal list is nearly empty, and they need

nourishment now more than ever.  If you have any questions, please don't

hesitate to ask.  If you can cook but not deliver or vice versa, please post to

the group - there are likely other people you can work together with.  This

family is running on empty in every sense of the word...let's pitch in and help

them through this difficult and scary time.

Sign up here to bring a meal to the Whelan's Woodbury home for Ted and their 2

young sons

http://foodtidings.com/SignUp.aspx?ScheduleGuid=c039d205-ce43-44e1-a9a2-11ef96cd\

e335

Let's also remember Faith, who doesn't have access to a kitchen or decent food

at the hospital.  She is breastfeeding and has a dangerously low supply - she

really needs energy and nourishment to get her and baby Arden through this rough

patch.  Right now they are at Gillette, and I know it would be incredibly

helpful if people could bring single servings of perishable food or

non-perishable snacks (she doesn't have access to a fridge at this time.)  She

and baby Arden will be transferring to Amplatz for his surgery in the next week,

and she will have a fridge there.  I know she would also appreciate company from

time to time, although visitors need to know that there is a lot going on

(procedures, tests, doctors coming in to discuss what's going on, etc.), so it's

best to call Faith to schedule 612-599-5441

CHILDCARE:

The Whelan's 2 small boys, 19 months and almost 4 years, are in need of

childcare M-Th (roughly 9:30-6:30).  There are two options, you can either go to

their house or the boys can come to you.  Nils and Rowan are sweet, kind boys

who play well with others.  Contact Ted for further info or scheduling

571-337-5890

MISC:

If anybody offers body work, such as healing touch, or knows somebody who could

offer those services at the hospital, please contact Faith.  And, of course,

please send love/prayers/good thoughts to this family.  This has been an

exhausting ride for them, and in a sense it's only beginning.  Faith is

finishing up Caring Bridge websites for Arden and Nils, and I'll send those out

as soon as she's done.  My family has been down all week with a virus, but as

soon as we're better I'll be able to help out with some deliveries of food and

children.  If you need help with this, please post to the list so I and others

can jump in and offer our services.

Thanks so much! 

________________________________

From: Alyssa <nelson.alyssa@...>

Kathy-jo <kaje62@...>; " TCNatFamLivSwap "

<TCNatFamLivSwap >; " "

< >; API <TwinCitiesAPI >

Sent: Saturday, December 31, 2011 12:32 PM

Subject: [TCNatFamLivSwap] Faith's meal list - please help

 

As some of you know, fellow member Faith Whelan gave birth to their third child

a month ago on 11/29/11.  He had been in a few times due to fluid in his lungs,

and now he has been admitted to the hospital with pneumonia.  Faith is staying

with baby Arden while Ted is taking additional time off of work to be home with

the other two boys.  Being so newly postpartum and stretched to their limits as

it is, they could really use some additional support now with these new

circumstances.   Please pray/send love and positive thoughts to them, and

consider making a nourishing meal to keep them healthy through this trying

time.  If you can prepare food but can't deliver it, please let me know and I'll

deliver it myself or find someone who can.

Their meal list can be found here:

http://foodtidings.com/SignUp.aspx?ScheduleGuid=c039d205-ce43-44e1-a9a2-11ef96cd\

e335

They typically eat a diet of organic, whole foods/traditional foods (including

beef that is grass-fed, pastured poultry, etc.)  They will also accept

vegetarian meals and fish.  If you have any questions about this diet or what to

make, please shoot me an email or a text, or give me a call 952-210-0485 and

I'll be happy to help out.  Let's support this wonderful and giving family with

love and nourishment.  Thanks so much!

Alyssa