Published: July 24, 2008 02:23 pm         

A family in need

Baby to return home; parents lose jobs after extended hospital stay

Despite the loss of her job and the grim outlook for her baby’s future, Brianna Heiser refuses to leave her daughter’s side.

“I don’t leave; I won’t leave,” she said in a phone interview Wednesday.

Heiser has been staying at the hospital 24/7 for three weeks, sleeping in chairs at Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis. Her daughter, three-month old Kaylee Dawn Conklin, was admitted there after unexpected complications arose.

Kaylee was born with rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata, a genetic disease that claims the lives of most of its victims before they reach age 10.

Heiser and Kaylee’s father, Ronnie Conklin Jr., took Kaylee to Riley to a get a feeding tube inserted. While there, doctors discovered fluid in Kaylee’s lungs. At one point, she nearly died. Heiser said her daughter’s heart stopped beating for 15 seconds.

After treatment in the intensive care unit, Kaylee’s condition took a turn for the better.

“She’s doing great,” Heiser said. “She’s on just a little bit of oxygen.”

Doctors took Kaylee off the ventilator on Tuesday. She is no longer sedated so Heiser can look into her alert eyes. Kaylee is scheduled for the feeding tube surgery today.

“In a couple of days, she will be able to come home,” Heiser said.

So what kind of life will Kaylee have?

According to www.diseasesdatabase.com, rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata causes patients to have shortened limbs and severely disturbed bone formation.

“She will never be able to use her arms,” Heiser said. “She’ll never be able to walk.”

Once the feeding tube is inserted into her small intestine, Kaylee will no longer be taking nutrition by mouth. She will have seizures and respiratory problems the rest of her life, Heiser said. Her daughter is not expected to live past the age of 3.

The past few weeks have been emotionally and financially draining for the family of three. Both parents have lost their jobs and must live with grandparents.

Detective Ray Bean of the Logansport Police Department became aware of the family’s plight while investigating a report that someone had stolen donations intended to cover Kaylee’s funeral expenses. He helped in getting a benefit fund set up at Security Federal Savings Bank.

“I know I fell in love the moment I saw her, and I hope the city of Logansport and Cass County will still help Kaylee even though another has done wrong in her name,” Bean said.

Kevin Lilly can be reached at (574) 732-5117, or via e-mail at kevin.lilly@pharostribune.com



Want to help?

Donations can be made to the Kaylee D. Conklin Benefit Fund at Security Federal Savings Bank in Logansport.