Newborn Facing Heart Surgery; Benefit Fund Opened at AF Bank

By Allison Canter

Ashe County couple Leslie (Hall) and Joey Dunning welcomed their first child, a little girl, Chloe Marie, into their lives on Feb. 16. The baby girl was born healthy at 18 inches long and weighing 7 lbs., but by Feb. 24 she was fighting for her life.

The Dunnings brought Chloe home on Feb. 17. Over the course of the next few days, she went back for check ups to Blue Ridge Pediatrics. The doctors said she was jaundiced and wanted to see her again in a few days. She was taken to the doctor's office again on Monday, Feb. 23 and they said her bilirubin test showed elevated levels and they would like to see her again the following day.

According to Lab Tests Online, when bilirubin levels are high, a condition called jaundice occurs, and fur-ther testing is needed to determine the cause. Too much bilirubin may mean that too much is being pro-duced or that the liver is incapable of adequately removing bilirubin in a timely manner.

The next day, Leslie took her daughter to the doctor's office, but at the time, her only symptoms seemed to be cold cheeks and a low temperature of 86 degrees. Within a few minutes of being at her appointment, however, Chloe stopped breathing and went into cardiac arrest. The baby's grandmother, Kim Elliott, said Chloe's life was saved thanks to the quick action of Doctors Sinclair, Meadowbrook and Zimmerman of Blue Ridge Pediatrics. "They were right on target and right on time," she said.

Chloe was taken first to Watauga Medical Center. Her kidneys were failing and there were problems with her liver. In addition, the hospital staff had to do a heart catheterization. A heart valve wasn't working and there was a hole in the newborn's heart. Chloe was Medi-vaced to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston Salem where she remains today and will for an unknown amount of time. She is scheduled for open-heart surgery on Wednesday, March 4 to open the aorta.

According to Elliott, Chloe does have two heart defects, but currently, the doctors are going to focus on the surgery for the aorta. She said that the baby will probably face some more surgeries, but they are unsure ex-actly what will be needed or when. The baby's mother, Leslie, is the vacation rentals specialist at Home Town Realty while the baby's father, Joey, works for State Drywall but is currently laid off. The young couple do not have insurance and are facing mounting medical and other expenses. To help with the expenses, Home Town Realty staff set up a fund, the Chloe Marie Dunning Benefit Fund at AF Bank. Donations may be made at any AF location, dropped off at Home Town Realty at 1 West Main Street in West Jefferson or mailed to Home Town Realty, PO Box 1838, West Jefferson, NC 28694.

City on Silver Inc. is currently working on a website where Chloe's progress can be followed. The website address will be announced once it is completed. Donations will also be able to be made to AF Bank via the website. Elliott said they were so thankful for all the support from friends, the community and Home Town Realty. "We thank God she was in the hands of her doctor at that moment in time," said Elliott. "She was meant to be there. We are so grateful for that. It was like a divine call from God."

Anyone who would like to send well wishes, cards or donations may mail those to the Home Town Realty office.