Konner Guyer
In 2008, Konner’s mother, Tanya Tilley, was pregnant with twins. At 20 weeks gestation, she was admitted to a Des Moines hospital for twin-twin transfusion syndrome, a rare condition that can occur when identical twins share a placenta. As a result, blood flows unevenly between the babies.
“One baby gets all the vitamins and nutrients, and the other baby basically starves to death,” explains Tanya.
Tanya’s sons, Konner and Kolby, were born via emergency C-section at just 28 weeks gestation. Konner weighed 2 pounds, 3 ounces, and Kolby weighed 1 pound, 3 ounces. Sadly, Kolby passed away at just 6 days old.
On Thanksgiving, Konner underwent emergency surgery to remove about 9 inches of his bowel due to a serious intestinal disorder. When it was discovered that Konner also had a severe brain bleed, he was transported by ambulance to University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
“They ‘lost’ him about 21 times on the way here,” remembers Tanya. “At the slightest touch of a doctor’s hand or my hand, he would stop breathing.”
It was a tough time for Konner’s family. Not only were they worried about Konner, they also needed to grieve the loss of his twin brother.
“When I was away [for Kolby’s funeral], I knew wholeheartedly that the nursing staff and the doctors here had Konner’s best interests at heart,” says Tanya.
During his time in the hospital, Konner also needed a shunt placed to redirect fluid buildup on his brain. He spent 121 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit before going home in March 2009.
“Konner finally got to come home on oxygen and an apnea monitor, and that was the scariest thing ever,” says Tanya. “I was elated to be home, yet so scared because I have this fragile little baby that has had multiple brain surgeries and breathing spells, and I was bringing him home to take care of him myself.”
To date, Konner has undergone 18 surgeries, seven of which were to address shunt malfunctions. During each malfunction, Konner experienced seizures. He has also endured ongoing gastrointestinal issues, and he has been diagnosed with chronic lung disease and quadriplegic cerebral palsy.
“Konner’s taught me a lot,” says Tanya. “He’s taught me that no matter what hurdles are thrown in front of you, you can overcome anything.”
Konner’s family is grateful for everyone who has been part of his journey.
“I can’t be more thankful for everybody here. Dr. [Eyad] Hanna has been Konner's GI doctor since birth,” says Tanya. “He had many nights where he would sit in his office and shed a tear because he couldn’t figure out why Konner was continuously projectile vomiting. He’s not just the doctor, he’s our family.”
“There are so many people who have gone above and beyond—social workers, drivers, cleaning crew, the people that work at the little stands selling coffee and muffins,” adds Tanya. “He wouldn’t be the smiley, happy, loving, compassionate little boy that he is today without everybody here.”