Apart from the Start: a Tale of Two NICU Nurseries

Parents of premature babies are often prone to worry about the health of their children, as preterm birth can come with complications. Taylor and Taylor Cryer (both parents share the same first name) were expecting twins when Taylor gave birth to premature sons, Kash Alvin and Krue Allen. Their physician, Dr. Jessica Cole at Lake Charles Memorial, informed them that the twins would likely have to stay in the NICU for an extended period. However, the Cryers were not overly concerned at first, especially since both boys were born at nearly six pounds and appeared healthy.

On their fourth day in the hospital, the pediatrician detected a heart murmur in Kash and ordered an echocardiogram. From there, things quickly took a turn for the worse. Both parents were visiting the twins when Kash was taken for testing. Taylor recalled sending her husband to work, confident that nothing serious would be found. Shortly after, doctors informed her that Kash had Tetralogy of Fallot, which is a combination of four different heart defects that can only be remedied via open-heart surgery. Suddenly, Kash’s oxygen saturation began to drop, and the NICU team called for him to be life-flighted to New Orleans for further evaluation.

Kash arrived at Manning Children’s Hospital in New Orleans just 11 days after birth. Upon arrival, doctors determined his diagnosis was more severe than originally thought; he needed to gain weight before surgery could be safely performed. Meanwhile, Krue remained in the NICU at LCMH. He had been checked for heart defects and was found to have a small patent foramen ovale, a hole in the heart, though this condition was expected to resolve on its own.

During this crisis, the Cryer family was introduced to the Local Heart Foundation. Stacie Adams, the foundation’s director, initiated contact and offered assistance with travel expenses. Taylor and Taylor decided to stay in Kash’s hospital room to be as close to him as possible. “Stacie arranged food and gas money for the driving back and forth we would be doing to get from twin to twin,” Taylor says. “In the midst of an absolute heartbreaking and life-changing event, the Local Heart Foundation was our saving grace. It allowed us to be there for both of our boys, along with our three other children, without the financial worry of ‘How are we going to do this?’”

Balancing an entire family while under such emotional stress was difficult, but the Local Heart Foundation helped there too, as the team and their network were familiar with these specific challenges. “The experience of having your babies in two separate towns is probably the hardest thing I’ve ever had to experience,” Taylor recalls. “I cried myself to sleep a lot. We were back and forth; whoever wasn’t with Kash was with Krue. Our older children were bouncing between grandparents and friends.”

Kash’s surgery was a success, and today both boys are excelling. “They are full of personality and growing like they should,” Taylor says. “Krue gets yearly check-ups, and his first showed his PFO has closed. Kash gets a check-up every six months. So far, nothing but good reports. If everything continues to grow with him, he should not need another surgery later in life. We thank God every day for answered prayers!”

Taylor and Taylor originally met playing “incrediball.” Today, they use that same game to honor families navigating the uphill climb of a medical battle. Driven by a desire to give back to the community that supported them, they created the “Kash Bash” to pay forward the support they received. What started as a tribute has grown into a movement. Last year, 22 teams played for the cause. “This year, we’re aiming for 30. We play so that the Local Heart Foundation can continue providing a lifeline to those who need it most.”

Beyond the tournament, Taylor’s commitment to the cause is deeply personal. She has stepped into the role of mentor, offering a steady hand to other mothers navigating the terrifying “what-ifs” of a diagnosis. “I am more than happy to be a listening ear or to answer any questions. It’s scary when something unexpected happens, and there’s comfort in being able to talk to someone who can relate. My husband and I love seeing the updates the Local Heart Foundation provides on social media. They give their all to every single person they come in contact with, and if we can be even the smallest bit of help, I’m all in.”