Hello all, I hope that you are doing well.
If you haven't already seen our Random Acts of Kindness Circle social media posts, I wanted to share our current project with you, Cards for Baby Greyson.
We were contacted by a friend who knows this sweet family, asking if we could contribute to a card request that they are currently working on to make it extra special for them.
Tiffany Hirsche and her husband Matt found out that their baby Greyson had a major heart condition and defect and would need open-heart surgery the week after being born.
With COVID-19, Tiffany will not be able to have any family in the hospital with her, and the cards will help remind her that she is not completely alone and that she is very well cared for by people all over the world!
We also know that we are still sheltering in place in many areas and do not want you to put yourself in harm's way to carry out this (or any project), so if you cannot get a greeting card, you may write a note or create your own card.
Please address and mail the card this way and please write #RAOK21 on it as well, and please send us a selfie of you making or mailing the card, and we'll post it on the website and social media!
Thank you all so much for your support of bringing joy to others in need through the Random Acts of Kindness Circle.
If you would like to follow Tiffany, Matt, and Baby Greyson's story live, you may stay up to date on their GoFundMe page. While we do not promote donations through crowdfunding platforms, we have been permitted to use this site to check for the family's updates and photos. Live updates HERE!
Latest Update from mom's Facebook page on June 6th
Baby Greyson is here!
Update on Greyson: I went to visit today, only one person is allowed to visit at a time, and today we had planned on being able to breastfeed for the first time- that was short-lived. He threw up last night and multiple times today, once in my arms. It was green- bile. His abdomen continues to have flair ups and become distended. The tube they had placed (and removed) in his stomach was placed back again today while I was with him to suction out what was/is in his stomach. They have stopped his feedings, and he is now getting TPN again. His colostomy bag is working (good news) and not having issues with that, so they try to figure out why there is bile in his stomach. He continues to have a decent amount of gas “stuck” as well, but the tube has helped, though it doesn't make sense why he isn't able to "fart" now that the colostomy bag is working. They took Greyson to do an x-ray with contrast to try to figure out what could and where something could be happening to cause the bile to be in his stomach. If it's a blockage, that could mean another surgery. The repeat ultrasound showed that his kidneys were still dilated for his kidneys, and they do not know why he is peeing wonderfully and as often as he should be. Tomorrow they will be doing a VCUG (voiding cystourethrogram), a test that looks at how well the kidneys, ureters, and bladder are working- figuring out the flow and why they would remain dilated. We most likely won’t know the tests' results until tomorrow, but again not a definite timeframe either. I know that the hospital is doing everything possible to make sure our little man is on his way to recovery, and we couldn’t be more thankful for every one of them. Continued prayers would be appreciated... we want steps forward... not back... we’re ready for our boy to come home. 😩
May 25th Update:
We have been given an unfortunate update about Matt, Baby Greyson's dad. The family has permitted us to post for us to share. We ask you all to contribute 2 cards or letters, and please ask 1 friend to send 2 cards. They really need some extra love right now.
"This is for Matt, Tiffany's husband. They could really use all the positive vibes and love from afar that they can get. (Karen asked that I share this with you, so it's ok for you to add some of this info to your RAOK post if you want.)
Matt was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy about two and a half years ago. From the Mayo Clinic, “IgA nephropathy, also known as Berger's disease, is a kidney disease that occurs when an antibody called immunoglobulin A (IgA) builds up in your kidneys. This results in local inflammation that, over time, can hamper your kidneys' ability to filter waste from your blood.” Matt began to try to fight the disease by losing weight. With numerous medications prescribed, one of which being 100mg of prednisone for roughly 8 months (stepped down toward the end), we had gotten news that Matt was in remission... that was until this week. Matt’s blood levels have been monitored regularly; he was diagnosed with stage three kidney disease. In February, his levels came back saying his kidney function was at 28% (to give an idea, they have told us at 20% he would be placed on a transplant list, and at 15% to consider dialysis). Fast forward to this week, Matt had labs drawn, and they came back saying his kidney function is now at 23%; the disease is moving faster than we thought it would. We’re currently evaluating different transplant locations and getting other opinions on how to proceed."
If you get stuck, here are my thoughts.
Sometimes, the best cards are those with the least words. A simple poem or encouraging quote can make the biggest statement.
Draw a flower or find something beautiful and simple that you can trace and color or leave black and white.
When you are having a difficult time, receiving anything is an act of kindness all on its own, and it shows Matt & Tiffany that someone they don't even know took the time and effort to show they care.
Need more help? Here are some links to quotes of encouragement you can send, but don't forget to quote the author!
Mail to: Matt & Tiffany Hirsch 7820 Sedge Drive New Kent, VA 23124 RAOK 21