Your share could raise $30
Before you go, did you know that simply by sharing this campaign, you could help it raise $30? It's an effective way to support the cause.
No thanks- Pin it
- SubscribeUnsubscribe
- Embed
Alicia Charnigo hasn't added a story.
My name is Luke and I was born on November 18th, 2013. Before I was born, the doctors saw on my ultrasounds that I had a very large hole in my heart and fluid in my head. My mom had lots of ultrasounds to make sure I was growing and to check on my problems. The first doctors she went to told her that I probably wouldn't survive and the best thing for her to do was not have me. Boy, am I glad she knew I was a fighter and that she found new doctors!
When I was born, I did very well. I got to stay with my mom until I needed to have a shunt put in my head to drain the extra fluid when I was 3 days old. The surgery went well and I only had to stay in the NICU for 2 days before I got to go home.
Since I have been home, I have had a lot of appointments at a hospital that is an hour away from where I live. They are the best doctors and they watch me very closely. As I have gotten bigger, my heart is having to work extra hard to keep up with my growth. I get short of breath and tire very quickly. I sleep more because I'm tired. My special heart doctors had to put me on 2 different medications, and one of them costs $300 a month that my mom has to pay for upfront. 2 days ago, I had to go to the ER because I couldn't breathe very well. They found that I had fluid in my lungs and my medicine had to be increased to help get rid of it. I am going to have open heart surgery on January 21st, 2014 so that they can fix my heart. But until my surgery, I am going to have to go to the doctor 2-3 times a week. I have 5 appointments in the next 2 days!
This has all been very hard on my mom. She takes care of my older brother, my older sister, and me 24/7 without any help. She is having a hard time paying for my medicine and all the gas that is needed to take me to appointments to make sure I am doing ok. In the last month and a half, she has spent $600 on my medicine and easily another $200-$300 on gas. I need special bottles that make eating easier for me. She has put off paying bills so I can stay well enough to get to my surgery. She can't go back to work because I can't go to a babysitter or daycare because I can't get sick. Even a cold could cause my heart to fail quicker. And my doctors want me to be big and strong for my surgery.
So, please, if you can help her out in anyway, it would mean the world to my family. The picture is me with my older brother and sister who love me so much. I am such a happy and content baby and I can't wait to feel better.
Highlights
See all activity27Activity
Delete media item?
Delete this item from the media gallery? It will also be deleted from any related story update.
Set as ?
The campaign video will appear in social media and email.
The campaign cover picture will appear in social media and email.
The will appear at the top of your campaign page and in social media and email.
Reset ?
It will be removed from the top of your campaign and won't be used as default in social media and email. The will remain in the media gallery.
Embed
Share a link
Delete update
Delete this story update?
Any pictures or videos will remain in the campaign's media gallery.
Report campaign
Report submitted
Thank you. We take reports like yours very seriously. Our goal is to keep the community safe.
Please know that we may contact you for more information, but that we won't notify you personally of our decision. If the campaign remains available within a few days, it's likely that we determined it not to be in violation of our policies.
Thank you. We've already received your previous report. If the campaign remains available within a few days, it's likely that we determined it not to be in violation of our policies.
Tell us about the problem. Please fill in both fields below.
Record a video
Upload a video
Nothing grabs attention for your cause like a personal video. Take a minute or two to record one now. Record a short video message of support. Or upload one from your device. You can preview or redo your video before you post it.
Nothing grabs attention for your cause like a personal video. Upload a short video message of support. Upload a short video message of support. Or record one right now.
- Most effective video length: about a minute.
- Maximum length: 5 min.
- You can preview or redo your video before you post it.
Heads up! The existing video will be replaced.
Email your friends
Join our team
Tell people why our cause matters to you. Your personal message will encourage others to help. Easy, effective, optional.
Say it in video
Short personal videos by supporters like you are incredibly powerful. Record one right now and you'll help us raise more money. Easy, optional, effective.
Add a personal goal
Set a personal fundraising goal. You'll encourage more contributions if you do. And rest easy. There's no obligation to achieve your goal or bad consequences if you don't. Easy, optional, effective.
We have a video!
Video thumbnail
We'd love to show you our campaign video. Want to take a look?
, you're already on the team.