My Northern Wisconsin

Covering Ashland, Iron, Lincoln, Oneida, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, and Vilas Counties


BENEFIT FOR LOCAL COUPLE'S PREEMIE GRANDDAUGHTERS TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 11, 2021


   

Tim and Marina Randrup, like all grandparents, were anticipating the birth of their twin granddaughters in 2021.  What they did not expect was that Oaklyn and Jacklyn would be born too soon at 27 weeks' gestation on May 24, 2021.

Both girls weighed in at two pounds each.  They spent two months in the NICU at St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield fighting for their lives. 

While in the NICU, Oaklyn experienced a small brain bleed.  The doctors monitored it carefully, and it did not get any bigger.  Oaklyn also has a hemangioma in front and behind her left eye.  A hemangioma is a bright red birthmark that is usually a benign vascular tumor derived from blood vessel cell types.  If left untreated, it can cause serious neurological effects, so the doctors have been monitoring it and giving her necessary medication.  Oaklyn was the first twin to be able to go home from the hospital.

Jacklyn had to stay in the NICU two weeks longer.  She was not able to breathe on her own.  Luckily, the breathing issue has since resolved, and she was able to go home, as well.

However, going home has not come without difficulties.  "Being new parents at 21 years to a full-term baby is not easy so now do this with preemie twins," Marina remarked.  Add to that their ongoing medical needs.  Oaklyn recently had seizures so she had to stay at St. Joseph's Hospital and also take some trips to Madison to see a specialist.  Jacklyn recently was in the hospital for five days due to RSV.  Both girls, who turned six months old on November 24th, are back home again and being closely monitored.  They are doing well, all things considered.

While the twins do live with their parents, Jared and Graci, in Wisconsin Rapids, Tim and Marina have called Phillips "home" for the last four years.  Of course, once their health is stable enough to do so, Oaklyn and Jacklyn will visit the northwoods often with their parents.

Helping with fund-raising to get them as healthy as possible, Trailside Bar and Grill will host a benefit for the twins on Saturday, December 11, 2021 starting at 1 p.m.  There will be a silent auction from 1 to 3 p.m. and a 50/50 raffle.  The funds from the benefit will go directly to the twins' medical expenses and future medical care.  Marina said she is grateful the benefit is being held in Phillips because she appreciates "how caring everyone is in our community."

To help, you can either attend the benefit or donate to the Oaklyn & Jacklyn Benefit at Community Financial Bank in Prentice.

Written By:  Lynne Bohn, MyPriceCounty.com
(This post was last modified: 02-18-2023, 01:46 AM by My Northern Wisconsin.)