Nico Needs Another Heart "Upgrade"

These two boys LOVE baseball! In fact, this picture was taken right after a Memorial Day 11U tournament win in 2015. But the one on the left .. in braces ... is facing a second open heart surgery in as many years.

His first being July 2014.
His next is scheduled for Nov 8, 2016.

Hi, I'm Michele and the mom to this young Baseball All-Star.  Our son, Nico, was an asymptomatic 10 year old when our family doctor heard his heart making a "faint clicking sound" during a regular yearly check-up. After seeing the cardiologist, her initial reaction showed little concern as she could barely hear this faint noise our family doctor mentioned but continued to do an EKG and Ultrasound as per the request. With the results in hand, she pulled me aside and I was told he needed open heart surgery due to a large hole in his heart.  

While this news was heart-breaking to us, Nico always had a great attitude - telling others he was "going in for an upgrade!"

During the initial surgery, we were told the surgeons found two additional holes for a total of THREE holes. He was basically a ticking time bomb they said ... his heart was working SO hard! We are so blessed to have the family doctor we do ... she saved his life!

Nico has fought back and come a long way since surgery ... earning that spot on a prestigious local travel ball team that won the 11U Memorial Day Tournament in 2015 and went to Cooperstown, NY this past summer of 2016 for an experience of a lifetime (a trip his grandparents, dad and I were fortunate to go on as well and cheer him on!)

At Nico's one year follow up appt, we were expecting to confirm that all was good but we were thrown another curve ball ... he had another hole!

This isn't one they "missed" but rather the first surgery required so much repair, that it appears sutures popped unexpectedly and necessitate another open heart surgery. Nico's surgeon took his case to those on the forefront of new leading technology to see if there were more minimally invasive options at this point and was told Nico's repair would be considered "experimental," so open heart it is.

This kid has simply gone thru so much ... most of which unknowingly, given his heart wasn't working properly for his first 11 years! Now, when he feels so much better, he's told he needs to go thru this serious surgery yet again.

On the heels of finally getting the expenses from his first surgery under control, I am starting this page to help our family with the additional medical costs we face as we prepare for this upcoming surgery ... and the subsequent recovery and rehab that will be necessary to get him back to the game he loves!

Thank you so much for reading his story, perhaps saying a prayer and for considering a donation ...