My son Austin was diagnosed with a severe Congenital Heart Defect- HypoPlastic Right Heart Syndrome, Tricuspid and Pulmonary Atresia and an ASD- at 20 weeks’ gestation. He was born a whopping 9lbs 2oz and was taken immediately to Children’s hospital. He had his first open heart surgery at 6 days old, his second open heart surgery at 4 months old, and on May 29th, 2020 had his third open heart surgery. We thought that was it but Austin had other plans.  After an ECHO and CT scan and many tests in July and August, it was determined that Austin would have to have OHS #4 in September to revise his Fontan conduit.

     This surgery appeared to be successful in opening his blood flow to his right lung. We had a post op ECHO in November to f/u from surgery and to our surprise, showed very little, if any blood flow to the right lung AGAIN. Austin had another heart cath scheduled and was completed in January 2021. It was then determined that Austin's main PA branch that feeds the lower 2/3 of his right lung is no longer there. This means constant monitoring and yearly heart catheterizations in the future. 
      Although Austin has had many doctors’ appointments, tests, procedures, surgeries, heart caths and lab draws over the last 8 years, HE is doing great and continues to be a rock star! He is still running around, playing soccer, basketball and baseball, attending second grade and living the best life.  
      Do to your generous donations and overwhelming support, research for treatments and hopefully a cure can continue! 

 

Did you also know....

9 out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital die. In most of those cases, bystander CPR was not performed. But we can change this. ​

 

Cardiac arrests happen at work, in homes, on athletic fields and in neighborhoods everywhere, and the readiness of our community can be the difference between life and death. ​

 

It's time to unite, take action, and save lives. Every walker who joins, every dollar donated, means more people trained in lifesaving CPR, more research and more lifesaving moments for everyone. ​

 

I Walk to Save Lives. Help me reach my goal today by joining our team or donating towards our goal. Together, we can turn bystanders into lifesavers.