A local family is holding on to hope as they face a devastating diagnosis for their eight-week-old daughter. At the end of August, physicians from Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City told Derrick and Brittany Thygesen that Avery has a rare blood vessel disease, affecting one in 50,000 babies. The blood vessels throughout her entire body are too small to allow for natural growth causing the right side of her heart to work harder than normal and creating excessive stress on her body, likely leading to congestive heart failure. Derrick says, “We were in shock; we weren’t expecting this kind of news at all. We had already been told that the blood vessels in Avery’s heart were too small, but we were thinking we might be told that the medical team would just wait until she grew enough to have some type of surgery that could help her condition.” That message, however, was not delivered. The couple was instead told they should take her home and love her. Derrick and Brittany are holding on to a glimmer of hope that the vessels will grow on their own. If she survives until the age of three, there is the possibility of a surgery to help with the condition. Both of the Thygesens are employed at the Family Resource Center (FRC) in Carroll and are grateful for the support they have received during this very difficult time. Derrick says they have been overwhelmed by the compassion and generosity of their community, friends, family and coworkers. “It gives us strength to look ahead with hope and optimism for Avery’s future.” The FRC is also holding a fundraiser to help defray medical costs by selling “Team Hope Avery” bracelets for $5 and “Hope for Avery” t-shirts at a cost of $15. These can be purchased at their location, 502 W. 7th Street. Farm Credit Services in Carroll has also set up an account at Bank of the West for monetary donations.
