Will's Warriors
Donation protected
For those of you who don't know the Simons family well, here is their story:
Just after learning she was pregnant with twins, Katie learned that one of the twins had a serious heart condition called hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). This meant only half of the heart developed, and he would be born with only half a heart. Since this original diagnosis, Katie andher husband Matt were thrust into the medical community. They met with several specialists who taught them about the condition, what it would mean for their son and their family to have a child with HLHS, and what the future would likely hold.
They named this baby William Anthony, after both their fathers, and learned that he would require a minimum of three life saving, critical, open-heart surgeries. Each surgery would be incredibly risky, but necessary, and the recovery would be extremely difficult. The first surgery would happen shortly after birth, the second around 6 months, and the third around 2-3 years of age.
With the odds stacked against him, Will, with the support of his family, made it through the first and second surgeries and the complications of recovery. And there were many, life-threatening complications. Despite all this, Will was an incredible, happy boy with a smile that lit up the room. He was happy to be home with his family, most importantly his twin brother Luke.
This past May, Will arrived back at Sick Kids Hospital to receive his third major surgery to allow his heart to function as best as possible. Will made it through the surgery, but the recovery has been an uphill battle. For close to 80 days, the Simons family lived in two different homes - Matt had to take time off work to stay with Will in Toronto at the Ronald McDonald House, and Katie and their newborn son Owen were constantly back and forth between their home in St. Marys and RMH. Will's brothers Luke and Nicholas travelled back and forth as well whenever possible.
Finally, in July, they were allowed to go home, but Will had to be monitored weekly to ensure his recovery remained on track. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Will's body rejected the third surgery and on Monday the family learned that Will requires another open heart surgery to essentially undo all the progress that was made from the first and second surgeries. Will is not likely to become a good candidate for a heart transplant and it is unlikely that the second or third surgeries will be tried again.
The recovery from this upcoming surgery will be challenging to say the least. While Will fights for his life, Matt will need to take another extended leave from work to stay with him while Katie attempts to "keep things running smoothly" at home (while also going to Toronto whenever possible).
Amazingly, in the face of all this, Will and his family have remained incredibly strong. They have been stretched to the limit emotionally, physically, spiritually and financially. They aren't asking for help, so we're asking for them. If you can, please help this amazing family. Donations of any size are greatly helpful and appreciated.
If you would like to learn more please check out #prayers4will on Facebook.
And please share with anyone and everyone!
Just after learning she was pregnant with twins, Katie learned that one of the twins had a serious heart condition called hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). This meant only half of the heart developed, and he would be born with only half a heart. Since this original diagnosis, Katie andher husband Matt were thrust into the medical community. They met with several specialists who taught them about the condition, what it would mean for their son and their family to have a child with HLHS, and what the future would likely hold.
They named this baby William Anthony, after both their fathers, and learned that he would require a minimum of three life saving, critical, open-heart surgeries. Each surgery would be incredibly risky, but necessary, and the recovery would be extremely difficult. The first surgery would happen shortly after birth, the second around 6 months, and the third around 2-3 years of age.
With the odds stacked against him, Will, with the support of his family, made it through the first and second surgeries and the complications of recovery. And there were many, life-threatening complications. Despite all this, Will was an incredible, happy boy with a smile that lit up the room. He was happy to be home with his family, most importantly his twin brother Luke.
This past May, Will arrived back at Sick Kids Hospital to receive his third major surgery to allow his heart to function as best as possible. Will made it through the surgery, but the recovery has been an uphill battle. For close to 80 days, the Simons family lived in two different homes - Matt had to take time off work to stay with Will in Toronto at the Ronald McDonald House, and Katie and their newborn son Owen were constantly back and forth between their home in St. Marys and RMH. Will's brothers Luke and Nicholas travelled back and forth as well whenever possible.
Finally, in July, they were allowed to go home, but Will had to be monitored weekly to ensure his recovery remained on track. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Will's body rejected the third surgery and on Monday the family learned that Will requires another open heart surgery to essentially undo all the progress that was made from the first and second surgeries. Will is not likely to become a good candidate for a heart transplant and it is unlikely that the second or third surgeries will be tried again.
The recovery from this upcoming surgery will be challenging to say the least. While Will fights for his life, Matt will need to take another extended leave from work to stay with him while Katie attempts to "keep things running smoothly" at home (while also going to Toronto whenever possible).
Amazingly, in the face of all this, Will and his family have remained incredibly strong. They have been stretched to the limit emotionally, physically, spiritually and financially. They aren't asking for help, so we're asking for them. If you can, please help this amazing family. Donations of any size are greatly helpful and appreciated.
If you would like to learn more please check out #prayers4will on Facebook.
And please share with anyone and everyone!
Organizer
Katie Simons
Organizer
St Marys, ON
