Our Kids - Braeden

Our journey into the "heart world" began with an ordinary ultrasound. The technician told us that we were having a boy! Unfortunately he was not being cooperative, so she could not get all of the pictures that she needed. "Lets send you for a level two ultrasound", she said. I remember asking, "Should I be worried"? But she quickly reassured me that they send people for level two ultrasounds all the time. Two weeks later, (After having that second ultrasound) we were given the diagnosis, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. The doctor suggested that we terminate the pregnancy, as he didn't feel that our child's condition was complatible with life. I left his office devastated.

Soon afterward, we met with a pediatric cardiologist who explained our options, a heart transplant, a three-staged pallative repair, or compassionate care (bring our child home until he passed). We opted to have the three surgeries, and were referred to the University of Michigan. It was there, that we finally found what we had been searching for most :hope

Braeden was born on November 6th, 2004 and intubated relatively quickly. His first heart surgery the Norwood took place on November 11th, and went quite smoothly. His only complication was an infection at his incision site...we went home about 3 weeks after his Norwood. We were also sent to Urology, as it was found that Braeden's kidneys are a little small, and one is located in his pelvic region. This will continue to be monitored.

Braeden's second surgery (the Hemi-Fontan) was scheduled in April(He was 5 months old) he did well, and we were home within a few weeks. As time went by, Braeden continued to have feeding issues, low muscle tone, and developmental delays. In May of 2005, he began Occupational and Physical therapy, in September he got a G-tube.

Braeden's third surgery (the Fontan) was performed right before his second birthday. He had a difficult time post-op, but things settled down, and we were home in 10 days.

Braeden continues to do well, and we continue to be thankful for each and every moment.