Brayden Brewster Braveheart Fund ❤️
Donation protected
My name is Toni Brewster Adams, and I'm establishing this fund on behalf of my great nephew, Sawyer Brayden Brewster and his parents, Joseph and Tatum T Brewster. The following is Sawyer's story. It was written at my request by them. I felt no one could tell his story better than these two parents. Joe and Tatum also have three older children under school age. They were resistant to this at first, but they agreed when other family members and friends requested it. The following is their story of their journey so far with Sawyer Brayden Brewster. We will update his story as it progresses.
At 31 weeks pregnant Tatum and Joe were told something was wrong with their baby’s heart. They were referred to UVA where a cardiologist gave them the heartbreaking news that their son, Sawyer had an incurable congenital heart defect known as HLHS.
HLHS, also known as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, is a severe congenital heart defect in which the left side of the heart is severely underdeveloped making it so it cannot effectively do its job. If left untreated, it is fatal. Joe and Tatum were told Sawyer would need to have surgery within the first few days of life to survive. He would need time to recover, and learn to eat. It was expected Sawyer would be in the hospital for a month.
After he was discharged, he would need to be monitored closely until his second surgery which needs to occur between 4 to 6 months of age and third surgery would be needed between 18 months and 3 years of age. This would reroute the functions of the left side of the heart to the right side, so he would establish normal oxygen exchanges allowing his heart and other organs to work more effectively.
Joe and Tatum were going to do everything possible to help baby Sawyer survive. The birth would need to be planned and everyone ready for his arrival. Tatum would need to carry him to 39 weeks in order to ensure he would be stable enough to have the first surgery.
Tatum and Joe tried their best to prepare mentally and financially; however, at 36 weeks, Sawyer blessed them with his presence. He weighed 6 pounds 13 ounces. He was beautiful and perfect in every way. His lungs were slightly underdeveloped requiring him to be taken to the NICU immediately to be put on a CPAP for his apneic episodes. When Tatum and Joe were finally able to go to the NICU to see baby Sawyer, they were overwhelmed by all the tubes and wires coming out of their precious baby.
After 5 days of being in the NICU, Mom and Dad escorted baby Sawyer down to the OR for his first open heart surgery to begin the process of mending his little brave heart. After hours upon hours of waiting, Sawyer was brought to the PICU where he would be monitored closely. Over the next few days he began losing IV’s, a chest tube, catheter, pacemaker, etc. Mom and Dad were finally able to hold their son. He began getting feedings through an NG tube and slowly transitioned to a bottle. One month later Sawyer was finally able to go home.
Sawyer is on numerous medications he takes throughout the day. His oxygen saturations are monitored continually and his daily weight includes weighing him and counting all his diapers. He has an appointment with his cardiologist one week and the pediatrician the following week. He has to be protected from getting sick. This would potentially cause an emergent admission for IV fluids for dehydration.
During the first surgery a shunt was placed to allow blood flow to the lungs. If Sawyer gets dehydrated, this could cause the shunt to clot off. Sawyer has to get to an optimal weight, and his heart has meet the criteria to be a candidate for the second surgery. They will determine this by cardiac cathateretazion on November1, 2016. While he is only capable of ingesting 2 ounces every 3 hours, it is a difficult process for him. It takes extra energy to eat and properly empty his stomach.
Sawyer has had a few setbacks that required four more hospital admissions since he was initially discharged. Also , he's required two surgeries that were non related to his heart. With every ounce Sawyer gains, his family is counting down the days until his second surgery. We hold on to every moment we have with baby Sawyer and having faith that God will continue to watch over our family.
Sawyer fought hard to get here and stay to be with his family,. Tatum’s pregnancy didn’t come without its complications, but he continues to fight hard and bravely.
His mommy, daddy, and family are willing to do whatever it takes to make sure Sawyer makes it to every birthday, and he can enjoy his life to the fullest. Joe and Tatum aren’t asking for help for themselves , but they need it. No one can prepare themselves financially for a baby with HLHS. Babies like Sawyer will continue to be carefully followed by specialists after their third surgery to moinitor his heart for failure. This could nessitate a heart transplant. We all pray it doesn't come to this.
Joe and Tatum just want to spend time with him and his three older siblings. If you or someone you know would be willing to donate , please do to help with finances , so Dad can be there during this critical time. If you aren’t able to donate , please pray for Sawyer and his family. Overwhelm God with prayers.
Sawyer Brayden Brewster
May My Heart Be Kind
My Mind Fierce
And My Spirit
Brave
Help spread the word!
At 31 weeks pregnant Tatum and Joe were told something was wrong with their baby’s heart. They were referred to UVA where a cardiologist gave them the heartbreaking news that their son, Sawyer had an incurable congenital heart defect known as HLHS.
HLHS, also known as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, is a severe congenital heart defect in which the left side of the heart is severely underdeveloped making it so it cannot effectively do its job. If left untreated, it is fatal. Joe and Tatum were told Sawyer would need to have surgery within the first few days of life to survive. He would need time to recover, and learn to eat. It was expected Sawyer would be in the hospital for a month.
After he was discharged, he would need to be monitored closely until his second surgery which needs to occur between 4 to 6 months of age and third surgery would be needed between 18 months and 3 years of age. This would reroute the functions of the left side of the heart to the right side, so he would establish normal oxygen exchanges allowing his heart and other organs to work more effectively.
Joe and Tatum were going to do everything possible to help baby Sawyer survive. The birth would need to be planned and everyone ready for his arrival. Tatum would need to carry him to 39 weeks in order to ensure he would be stable enough to have the first surgery.
Tatum and Joe tried their best to prepare mentally and financially; however, at 36 weeks, Sawyer blessed them with his presence. He weighed 6 pounds 13 ounces. He was beautiful and perfect in every way. His lungs were slightly underdeveloped requiring him to be taken to the NICU immediately to be put on a CPAP for his apneic episodes. When Tatum and Joe were finally able to go to the NICU to see baby Sawyer, they were overwhelmed by all the tubes and wires coming out of their precious baby.
After 5 days of being in the NICU, Mom and Dad escorted baby Sawyer down to the OR for his first open heart surgery to begin the process of mending his little brave heart. After hours upon hours of waiting, Sawyer was brought to the PICU where he would be monitored closely. Over the next few days he began losing IV’s, a chest tube, catheter, pacemaker, etc. Mom and Dad were finally able to hold their son. He began getting feedings through an NG tube and slowly transitioned to a bottle. One month later Sawyer was finally able to go home.
Sawyer is on numerous medications he takes throughout the day. His oxygen saturations are monitored continually and his daily weight includes weighing him and counting all his diapers. He has an appointment with his cardiologist one week and the pediatrician the following week. He has to be protected from getting sick. This would potentially cause an emergent admission for IV fluids for dehydration.
During the first surgery a shunt was placed to allow blood flow to the lungs. If Sawyer gets dehydrated, this could cause the shunt to clot off. Sawyer has to get to an optimal weight, and his heart has meet the criteria to be a candidate for the second surgery. They will determine this by cardiac cathateretazion on November1, 2016. While he is only capable of ingesting 2 ounces every 3 hours, it is a difficult process for him. It takes extra energy to eat and properly empty his stomach.
Sawyer has had a few setbacks that required four more hospital admissions since he was initially discharged. Also , he's required two surgeries that were non related to his heart. With every ounce Sawyer gains, his family is counting down the days until his second surgery. We hold on to every moment we have with baby Sawyer and having faith that God will continue to watch over our family.
Sawyer fought hard to get here and stay to be with his family,. Tatum’s pregnancy didn’t come without its complications, but he continues to fight hard and bravely.
His mommy, daddy, and family are willing to do whatever it takes to make sure Sawyer makes it to every birthday, and he can enjoy his life to the fullest. Joe and Tatum aren’t asking for help for themselves , but they need it. No one can prepare themselves financially for a baby with HLHS. Babies like Sawyer will continue to be carefully followed by specialists after their third surgery to moinitor his heart for failure. This could nessitate a heart transplant. We all pray it doesn't come to this.
Joe and Tatum just want to spend time with him and his three older siblings. If you or someone you know would be willing to donate , please do to help with finances , so Dad can be there during this critical time. If you aren’t able to donate , please pray for Sawyer and his family. Overwhelm God with prayers.
Sawyer Brayden Brewster
May My Heart Be Kind
My Mind Fierce
And My Spirit
Brave
Help spread the word!
Organizer and beneficiary
Toni Adams
Organizer
Amelia Court House, VA
Tatum Brewster
Beneficiary