The Abdelkarim Family
Our Story
Amirah was born 15 weeks early on February 27th and has gone through many obstacles. 11 weeks in the NICU so far and counting. She started out at 1 lb 11 oz and her weight dropped after birth to 1 lb 6 oz. Amirah has had infections, two code blue moments, blood in the lungs after ventilator was pull out accidentally, pneumonia, stage 1 ROP. She had an echocardiogram, peptide labs, and x-ray to see if she has plumonary hypertension. So glad to report it came back normal. Yesterday, they did find a small mass in her groin. They did an ultrasound and found her ovary had herniated down out of her abdominal cavity so now they will have to do surgery to correct it.
She is definitely a fighter, doctors believe she will be hospitalized for a long period of time and now has a chronic care team working with her. Amirah has been gaining weight is now 5 lbs 6 oz but continues to have respiratory problems. Serenity, Amirah's mom had to withdraw from her internship to become a social worker and was set to graduate May 14th but was unable due to the premature birth. This was hard for Serenity. Her time and energy goes to her daughter fighting for her life.
Amirah's dad works long hours to keep the family financially supported. It's been hard because Serenity ( Amirah's mom) doesn't drive and has had to be up at the hospital alone a lot. Ahmed (Amirah's dad) would love to be able to be there to support his daughter and wife but he has no choice but to work for them to make bills. We are not sure when Amirah will be able to leave the hospital, her respiratory support has stopped her from being able to bottle feed, she has a long road ahead of her to be ready to leave. After Amirah does leave the hospital she will be in great need for both her parents to be there for her. I am starting this campaign to help them through the rest of her hospital stay and home coming. Ahmed doesn't have PTO so if he takes off work there will be no money coming in and he is the solo provider for his family. Serenity and Ahmed left their apartment early because it wasn't safe for them and ended up having to pay two rent's for three months. Please, help me help this family be together they been through so much and they need each other to make it through.
Family Updates
Amirah is now five months old, she still has a lot of mico preemie struggles mainly with her stomach. It's been hard on her mom and dad. Amirah's mom stays home with her and works hard at taking care of her. It hasn't been easy many sleepless nights. Bills have been piling up and all Amirahs dad got was to be home with her for a week. This family is still struggling to make it. If you're able to help it would be greatly appreciated.
Amirah went home last night!!!❤️ Her parents are so excited to have her home. Amirahs dad had already been running into problems with his current job. They won't give him even a week off to spend with his daughter who's been hospitalized for the last 102 days. He decide to apply for other jobs and put in his two week notice. Having a baby that eats every 2 1/2 to 3 hours is also hard on one person. Please help donate so this family. An be together. Thank you!!
Yesterday, Amirah turned 100 days old. She also hit a HUGE MILESTONE they weaned her off of oxygen!!!😮 We were told she will be trialing no oxygen for two days then she will either come home with out oxygen or come home with a low amount of oxygen. We been busy getting everything ready for her homecoming. Right now we are just hoping we can get more donations to lessen the stress of financials of her dad being able to spend sometime at home supporting his wife and daughter.