Ethan Conover- Heart Warrior
Ethan Conover, son of Rachel and Jeff Conover, is a 3 and a half year old boy with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). He was diagnosed in utero in April of 2013 with this HLHS which means the left side of his heart is severely underdeveloped and does not function properly. The care plan for a child born with HLHS is a series of surgeries, performed throughout the first few years of life, beginning very shortly after birth.
Ethan was born on August 23, 2013. He underwent four surgeries before his first birthday, two of which were open heart procedures: one at a week old, the second at a month old, his third at five months old and the fourth at seven months.
1) Norwood-sano @ 7 days old (open heart)
2) G tube placement at 1 month old
3) Bidirectional Glenn @ 5 months old (open heart)
4) Thorachotomy @ 7 months old (replaced narrow part of aorta with bovine material so blood could flow through more efficiently- bilateral incision under left arm. )
In the time between surgeries, Ethan has had to change over to a different pediatric cardiologist. His original cardiologist, Dr. Fernandez, accepted a postiton in San Diego, and CHI is now working with a team from Mayo Clinic. Although they will miss Dr. Fernandez and the wonderful team of doctors and nurses at University of Minnesota Children's Hospital, Rachel and Jeff have full confidence in Dr. Eidem and the staff at the Mayo Clinic.
The Conover family recently learned that the next surgery Ethan needs will be performed sooner than they anticipated. In less than one month's time, Ethan will be at Mayo clinic for his fifth surgery, another open heart procedure, to repair a leaky Tricuspid valve between the upper and lower portions of the heart. They thought they had more time to prepare (about a year) but Dr. Eidem and surgeons have deemed it best to repair his valve now, and do the Fontan sooner than later. Ethan will have his sixth surgery within the next few months.
This trip will require Rachel to be out of work for over a month, and since both parents can't take time off from work, Jeff will unfortunately be unable to attend the surgery at all.
Ethan will need to be inpatient for an estimated three weeks post operation for recovery.
My sister and her family have been coping with Ethan's original diagnosis for a little over four years. They are a very strong and positive influence for their Ethan, even though this has caused significant financial strain.
Any donated funds will help offset travel and lodging costs for the Conover family.
