Owen-Recovering from 3rd Open heart
Donation protected
My parents and I decided to put together a page to help support my sister and her family!! Read Owens story if you have a minute or two! Truly a strong boy! Every thought and penny helps! Greatly appreciated!!
For all of you who know or don't know, my beautiful daughter Holly gave birth to a beautiful boy June 11th, 2014. They named him Owen John Zasso. During a regular ultrasound 6 months into the pregnancy the Doctors discovered a heart issue. Double inlet left ventricle, transposed great arteries, ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, hypoplastic arch and hypoplastic right ventricle. Given a choice to terminate both she and Martin never even considered it an option.
At 6 days old Owen underwent his first open heart surgery at the IWK Hospital in Halifax far from home and family. Luckily I was here for both birth and surgery. It saddens me to know that they were robbed of the excitement and anticipation of a new baby. Instead they were filled with fear and the unknown.
After approximately a month in hospital they brought Owen home. They brought their new baby home only to have to monitor him daily. This included medications, weighing him daily and checking his saturation levels. This only lasted for one week as he developed a clot in his shunt. Back to the hospital for another gruelling few weeks. This time coming home included having to give him 2 injections daily to prevent blood clotting.
If anyone has spent any time in a hospital they know how mentally and physically draining it is let alone the stress of a new baby with a heart condition. The walls seem to move closer, the air is dry and the machines are constantly beeping. I realize the hospitals concern is the patient BUT Holly and Martin have to share a 3 inch mattress on a single sized bench. They sleep and I use that word lightly head to foot. Unimaginable for me. They spend every hour at Owens side.
As they are not the patient, they are not entitled to the "delicious" hospital food. So this only adds a financial stress to them. Eating take out food for days on end can do nothing for you.
Through all of this Martin has continued to go to work everyday serving with the Navy. He is on course, has exams to write, labs to do and still he never complains. Even with sleepless nights and the worry of Owen and Holly he is truly amazing. I could not ask for a better partner for Holly.
Owen was scheduled for his second open heart surgery October 21 but had to be re-scheduled due to the birth of a newborn baby in need of immediate surgery. November 13 was his re-scheduled date but it too was cancelled as his surgeon was ill. All the mental preparation leading up to a surgery is mentally and physically exhausting. I honestly can't say that I could have dealt with all of this as Holly and Martin have.
I am so proud of both of them, I can't even describe it. Holly doesn't ask "Why me?" Instead she asks "Why Owen? Why does he have to suffer?
His second open heart surgery was November 20th. He did great but developed neutropenia (no white blood cells). His little body can't fight off any infection. Holly cannot return to her full time job as she cannot risk putting Owen into daycare. Any infection could attack his comprised heart and could be fatal. Anytime he gets a fever it is a trip to the hospital with IV and antibiotics.
His veins are so small even the best nurses have a hard time getting an IV in. He screams and cries and breaks the hearts of his "Momma and Dadda".
The financial burden of Holly not being able return to work is forcing them to move into an apartment that is more affordable. With frequent trips to the hospital Holly can't even take on a part time job.
As they live in Halifax NS they have no one to turn to. No friends or family. It seems there is no assistance available for families with medical needs such as Owen's. Their financial troubles are mounting and with an another upcoming heart surgery the mental stress is taking a toll on them both.
Dad (Martin Zasso) serves our country in the Canadian Navy. One would think there would be support financially for families with medical needs. Any donations would would be greatly appreciated.
For all of you who know or don't know, my beautiful daughter Holly gave birth to a beautiful boy June 11th, 2014. They named him Owen John Zasso. During a regular ultrasound 6 months into the pregnancy the Doctors discovered a heart issue. Double inlet left ventricle, transposed great arteries, ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, hypoplastic arch and hypoplastic right ventricle. Given a choice to terminate both she and Martin never even considered it an option.
At 6 days old Owen underwent his first open heart surgery at the IWK Hospital in Halifax far from home and family. Luckily I was here for both birth and surgery. It saddens me to know that they were robbed of the excitement and anticipation of a new baby. Instead they were filled with fear and the unknown.
After approximately a month in hospital they brought Owen home. They brought their new baby home only to have to monitor him daily. This included medications, weighing him daily and checking his saturation levels. This only lasted for one week as he developed a clot in his shunt. Back to the hospital for another gruelling few weeks. This time coming home included having to give him 2 injections daily to prevent blood clotting.
If anyone has spent any time in a hospital they know how mentally and physically draining it is let alone the stress of a new baby with a heart condition. The walls seem to move closer, the air is dry and the machines are constantly beeping. I realize the hospitals concern is the patient BUT Holly and Martin have to share a 3 inch mattress on a single sized bench. They sleep and I use that word lightly head to foot. Unimaginable for me. They spend every hour at Owens side.
As they are not the patient, they are not entitled to the "delicious" hospital food. So this only adds a financial stress to them. Eating take out food for days on end can do nothing for you.
Through all of this Martin has continued to go to work everyday serving with the Navy. He is on course, has exams to write, labs to do and still he never complains. Even with sleepless nights and the worry of Owen and Holly he is truly amazing. I could not ask for a better partner for Holly.
Owen was scheduled for his second open heart surgery October 21 but had to be re-scheduled due to the birth of a newborn baby in need of immediate surgery. November 13 was his re-scheduled date but it too was cancelled as his surgeon was ill. All the mental preparation leading up to a surgery is mentally and physically exhausting. I honestly can't say that I could have dealt with all of this as Holly and Martin have.
I am so proud of both of them, I can't even describe it. Holly doesn't ask "Why me?" Instead she asks "Why Owen? Why does he have to suffer?
His second open heart surgery was November 20th. He did great but developed neutropenia (no white blood cells). His little body can't fight off any infection. Holly cannot return to her full time job as she cannot risk putting Owen into daycare. Any infection could attack his comprised heart and could be fatal. Anytime he gets a fever it is a trip to the hospital with IV and antibiotics.
His veins are so small even the best nurses have a hard time getting an IV in. He screams and cries and breaks the hearts of his "Momma and Dadda".
The financial burden of Holly not being able return to work is forcing them to move into an apartment that is more affordable. With frequent trips to the hospital Holly can't even take on a part time job.
As they live in Halifax NS they have no one to turn to. No friends or family. It seems there is no assistance available for families with medical needs such as Owen's. Their financial troubles are mounting and with an another upcoming heart surgery the mental stress is taking a toll on them both.
Dad (Martin Zasso) serves our country in the Canadian Navy. One would think there would be support financially for families with medical needs. Any donations would would be greatly appreciated.
Organizer
Graham Love
Organizer
Belleville, ON
