Rallying for Eden

Lori Hammelman
Posted 7/19/18

The Rochelle community is rallying around the Carr family as their daughter continues to overcome a rare medical diagnosis.

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Rallying for Eden

Posted

ROCHELLE — The Rochelle community is rallying around the Carr family as their daughter continues to overcome a rare medical diagnosis.

Since April, 14 month-old Eden has endured many tests for what doctors are calling an exceedingly rare case of Arteriovenous Malformation in her liver. Medical professionals have told the Carrs that cases such as this are typically seen after liver transplants in adults.

Eden also had surgery on her liver two weeks ago.

For over three months, Eden’s mother, Cristal, has stayed at her bedside in Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago.

Both Cristal and Wes, Eden’s father, are appreciative of the support given to the family. This includes not only the emotional, but also the financial support that has helped with mounting medical bills and living expenses since Cristal stopped working to be with Eden.

A GoFund Me page titled, “Eden Monroe Carr Road to Recovery,” has been established to help offset the costs through it all. Reaching out for financial support from others is something Wes admits was uncomfortable for him and his wife, as they typically have been financially independent even through college.

“My wife has been amazing through all of this. She’s been there 24/7 for the last three and a half months…I’ve been driving back and forth to the hospital, still trying to work,” Wes, Eden’s father said. “Everyone has been amazing. It’s been really nice to see the local community stepping up and helping us…friends, family, people I might have seen at different music fests, I’m seeing them help out. It’s been very difficult being the hospital is three hours away.”

Wes said it is only until recently that they really have understood the condition that has afflicted their daughter. Early on, the couple had only expected to be at the hospital a short time and be on their way home. It wasn’t until experts at Lurie reached out to other medical professionals, including Boston Children’s Hospital, that they understood the scope of things.

Throughout it all, Wes said they have been trying to respond to all of the calls of support.

“I think that one of the big things through this is how awesome it’s been to see the sheer number of people reaching out,” Wes said. “At some point we would like to plan an event to say thank you to everyone.”

Over 30 updates have been posted on the funding page, as well as on the couple’s social media pages helping to keep everyone informed of the Rochelle family’s journey.

“We are very blessed with the community that we have in Rochelle. They’ve been extremely supportive. We are so grateful, this has definitely helped us through everything,” Cristel said. “Even now, when people are in hospitals for long periods of time and might be forgotten about, we are never forgotten. We are grateful.”

If anyone is interested in donating and would like to help the family avoid the fees from the GoFund Me page, please add Cristal Carr on Facebook where she has posted links to other financial sources.