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SCSU unites for baby’s fight
 Media Credit: scott theisen Linda Conway and her daughter Brooke have been through some hard days and know there are more to come. People from all levels of the SCSU community have rallied to help Brooke and her family. Conway works on campus as an administrative assistant for MnLINK.
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When one of Linda Conway’s newborn twins was diagnosed with a series of heart problems, she never expected so much support from the SCSU community.
“All the out-pouring of thoughts and prayers,” said MnLINK Administrative Assistant, Conway. “It’s totally overwhelming.”
The twins were born March 25; a boy and a girl, both healthy. They were named Kyle and Brooke.
Three days later, doctors noticed that Brooke had a heart murmur. After further testing they discovered a series of birth defects: there were holes in her heart, her aorta –– which is supposed to be the width of a straw –– was barely the size of a thread and her heart was not picking up oxygen.
“I instantly went to tears, not really understanding how serious it was,” Conway said.
Conway and her husband took Kyle and Brooke to Fairview University Hospital. Brooke had heart surgery just a week after she was born.
“You have to think about Brooke’s heart,” Conway said. “Your heart’s the size of your fist. Well, Brooke’s fist is the size of a walnut.”
Because of the medication she was on, her tissue was mushy and the doctors couldn’t complete the surgery. After they closed her chest up, Brooke went into cardiac arrest.
Chest compressions failed to solve the problem, so doctors opened Brooke’s chest again and manually squeezed her little heart for two hours. Brooke was then put on life support.
The doctors told the Conways that they had never seen an infant live though such trauma and that Brooke would not survive. The Conways had to decide if they wanted to take Brooke off life support.
“We had the priest there and were saying our prayers and just hoping,” Conway said. “The cardiologist encouraged us and said, ‘as a mother I understand and I think you have to try,’ and I think all we needed to know was that all hope was not gone.”
Brooke was on life support four days before she had to be taken off. Thankfully, her heart kept beating without the machines. However, the surgery was not complete and she suffered some brain damage from the cardiac arrest.
Overall, the Conways spent four and a half months living at the Ronald McDonald House near the hospital. Soon, Conway exhausted her vacation time and sick leave. She was able to get some additional time off through the state, but it wasn’t enough.
When other employees on campus heard about Conway’s situation, they wanted to help.
Employees are allowed to give 12 hours of vacation to co-workers. A number of people donated vacation time so Conway could ensure Brooke received the care she needed.
“It’s amazing how everyone’s working together,” said Building Services Lead, Marybeth Juetten.
In addition to vacation time, employees of all levels from students to the administration formed a committee called University Community Builders. They are selling $1 ribbons to raise money for Brooke.
“The first thing that came to us is the color purple because she’s so strong,” Juetten said. “We see nothing but a good future for this little girl.”
The group has also planned a benefit for Brooke Nov. 24. The $6 admission includes a spaghetti dinner, a craft show, a bake sale and auction.
The benefit will be at Henry’s Catering and Banquet Center in Foley. Doors open at 11 a.m. and the auction starts at 1:30 p.m.
University Community Builders asked community businesses to donate to the cause.
The SCSU men’s hockey team donated a jersey and two autographed hockey sticks for the auction, in addition to a puck signed by head coach Craig Dahl.
The SCSU women’s volleyball team donated a game ball autographed by the team. It is also the last game ball for head coach Dianne Glowatske. She said that donating the ball for the benefit is part of the role college athletes play as mentors.
“They realize the importance of their roles as mentors and as college athletes,” Glowatske said.
Other items to be auctioned off include a hand-knitted afghan, limited edition prints, Santa Bears, savings bonds, gift certificates and collector’s toys.
The benefit will also feature musical entertainment.
“From the students up through the administration, we have enough people to do it (the benefit),” Juetten said. “We’re pretty excited about everyone who’s gotten involved.”
Tickets for the benefit will be sold at a kiosk in Atwood Memorial Center Nov. 21 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased at the door or directly from University Community Builders.
All of the money raised will go in the Brooke Conway Fund at TCF Bank.
Although the Conway’s insurance will cover most of Brooke’s needs, they also have co-pays and it is too soon to tell how intense the Cerebral Palsy will be.
Since it’s best to start early, Brooke is already seeing several therapists for a variety of needs; from speech therapy to occupational therapy.
“Kyle will be Brooke’s best medicine,” Conway said.
They can measure Brooke’s progress against his, setting goals for her. Currently, the twins are about 71/2 months old. Kyle can sit up, but because of her setbacks, Brooke is at about the same phase as a 2-month-old baby. As they get older, Brooke will see what Kyle is doing and will want to do it as well.
However, there is still one more surgery needed to mend Brooke’s fragile heart. Conway has been back to work for a month and a half while a nanny and a nurse care for the twins.
Vacation hours have been donated for the next surgery. After this one, all of Brooke’s heart problems should be solved, but she still has a long road of recovery ahead of her.
“This little girl will have an amazing story,” Juetten said. “We gave her a special start and we’re proud of that.”
To donate to the Brooke Conway Fund, or to volunteer time, resources or talent for the benefit call one of the following: Wendy Springer (320)968-8937, Jane Spande (320)253-3090, Laurie Luethmers (320)356-9036, Lu Mamken (320)253-3303.
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