Every Little Thing is Gonna Be Alright: A Family’s Journey Through the Unknown

June 25th, 2025 | Our Families

When Tom and Shannon found out they were expecting their third child, they were overjoyed. Their family of four already felt full of love, and the idea of welcoming one more to the mix filled them with excitement and dreams of the future.

But at their 20-week ultrasound, everything shifted. Doctors identified growth restrictions and raised concerns about possible medical complexities — ones they wouldn’t be able to fully understand until after birth.

The joy of pregnancy quickly gave way to fear and uncertainty. In those long, anxious weeks that followed, they found themselves clinging to a song that would become very special to them: Three Little Birds by Bob Marley. They played it on repeat, letting the lyrics — “Don’t worry about a thing, ’cause every little thing is gonna be alright” — wrap around them like a shield, and a hopeful promise that Shannon held onto as she imagined the day her three little birds would finally be together.

Nearly 11 weeks later, Shannon delivered Cameron via C-section at just 30 weeks and 6 days. He weighed only 2 pounds, 6 ounces. The relief of hearing his first cry was immense, but the journey was far from over. Cameron would spend a total of 54 days in the NICU — a split between Gundersen and American Family Children’s Hospital (AFCH) — and every hour of those days was filled with questions, cautious hope, and fierce love.

From the first time Tom and Shannon got to hold him — just one day after birth — to his baptism at just two days old by their pastor and making it through his first critical week in the NICU, every milestone was cause for celebration. Though the long list of concerns initially raised at the 20-week scan proved mostly unfounded, one worry persisted: Cameron’s liver numbers kept climbing. Doctors feared it might be biliary atresia, a serious condition that would require a complex surgery.

After a month in the NICU and no luck in bringing his numbers down, the doctors made the decision to transfer Cameron to AFCH in Madison for specialty care and suddenly everything began to move quickly. Only a day after the decision was made, Tom and Shannon found themselves following the ambulance to Madison, leaving their older boys, Landon (4 years) and Kayden (2 years), with their grandparents. There was no time to plan — they just knew they needed to be with Cameron.

That first night in Madison, friends kindly covered a hotel stay, offering Tom and Shannon a brief moment to catch their breath after an emotional whirlwind. By the next day, a compassionate hospital staff member introduced them to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Madison.

Walking into RMHC-Madison, they had no expectations, but what they found was a lifeline.

They were met with warmth, kindness, and a sense of home they didn’t realize they needed. Freshly made, individually packaged meals. Underground parking. Private bathrooms. A peaceful room just steps from the hospital. All of it, free of charge.

“Medical bills are already incredibly expensive,” Tom shared. “Not having to worry about hotel costs or cafeteria food made such a tremendous difference,” Shannon added that simply being able to walk to the hospital with a meal in hand and come back at the end of the day to rest in a private space was a huge relief during an otherwise chaotic time.

With their basic needs met, Tom and Shannon were able to continue to focus on what mattered most — Cameron and his health. After further evaluation, doctors determined that he did not have biliary atresia, but rather a shunt in his liver, and instead of a major surgery, a less invasive procedure to place a catheter and plug a vessel to support blood flow to the liver would be sufficient.

The procedure went well, and though Cameron’s numbers took time to stabilize, the news was a huge relief.

During their stay, Cameron’s big brothers and grandparents made a day trip to Madison.

While the grandparents visited the NICU, Shannon cherished time with Landon and Kayden, who she refers to as her big boys, at the House. They explored the art room, rode bikes, played on the playground, and proudly picked out toys. Shannon joked that they were disappointed Cameron wasn’t staying in the hospital longer — not understanding just how precious his improving health truly was.

When the visit ended, Tom left with his family to return home for work. Shannon shared that while she didn’t know her way around Madison, she felt safe at RMHC-Madison — and that Tom felt comforted leaving her there and knowing she wasn’t alone. With secure housing and a supportive staff, Shannon could rest at night and be at Cameron’s side every single day.

There was a time when Tom and Shannon weren’t sure Cameron would survive his first week. Today, he’s nearly a year old — crawling everywhere, keeping up with his big brothers, and knocking down their towers every chance he gets. Shannon reflects on those long weeks of pregnancy filled with fear and remembers playing Three Little Birds over and over. She had dreamt of the day all her little birds would finally meet — and now, they’re together, happy, and thriving.

Looking back on their journey, what once felt like the beginning of a tragedy has become a story of hope, resilience, and love. Through it all, Tom and Shannon were held up by their village- friends, family, acquaintances, RMHC-Madison- and the power of faith and prayer. Whether it was a hot meal, a message of encouragement, or a prayer from a friend- every act of kindness helped carry them through.

“At first we thought we were unlucky,” Tom said. “But in the end, people came out of the woodwork and our family got a happy ending, and now we reflect on how we were never unlucky, but incredibly blessed that our story unfolded the way it did, knowing that’s not always the case for others.” Throughout every up and every down, Tom and Shannon clung to the belief that God had a plan for Cameron all along — no matter the outcome — and they’re profoundly grateful that His plan led them here, to this beautiful and hopeful ending.

The family continues to return to Madison for follow-up care, always knowing that RMHC-Madison is there if/when they need it. “The support and home feel were — and still are — so important. RMHC-Madison has given us space to breathe and regroup after long days at the hospital, and we are so grateful.”

Because every little thing did turn out all right — thanks to faith, love, community, and one House that truly felt like home.