Kensley's Broken Heart
Donation protected
Kensley and twin sister were born nov 12 2014 When Kensley was two day’s old we were told Kensley had a Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) and was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) John and I were informed Kensley would have to undergo Open Heart Surgery before she is Six Month Old and would need more surgeries once she is older for a valve in her heart as it is not allowing enough blood to flow. I then went back to my room and started reading more about CHD and TOF, I found out 1 in 100 babies are born with a CHD and some do not make it to their 1st birthdays and some require to have many surgeries on their heart throughout their life. At that moment I felt like my whole world was crashing down and with everything I had been through did not help me take in this news. I had to have a c- section at 33 weeks since I was in the hospital for 3 days and the doctors could not stop my contractions, both of my girls were taken to the NICU after delivery. I had to have a blood transfusion right after delivery, as well as the day I found out about Kensley having a hole in her heart, and the valve in her heart which is not allowing the blood to flow the correct way, and would need Open Heart Surgery to repair the issues. I remember I just broke down and cried.
Kensley is seen by her Cardiologist at Choc anywhere from once a week or once every two weeks.
After I was released from disability I then found out if I wanted to take the time off for when Kensley has her surgery and have my job protected I would not be able to take my bonding time under FMLA. I would have to use my FMLA for her surgery. I then returned to work, since I have to be with my daughter during her surgery as well as her recovery.
I have been back at work for about a month and a half and since then I have taken a number of day’s off or have left early to take Kensley to her doctor’s appointments so John can stay at home with brother and sister.
Starting March 17th I will be off of work for two months and since FMLA pays less than disability it is going to be tight for our family since Kensley’s medical bills are stacking up, as well as the gas and time off of work I have had to take off to take Kensley to her appointments since we live in Riverside County and Kensley’s doctor’s office as well as the hospital she will have to have her surgery is in Orange County.
Kensley will have her surgery on the 19th of March to close the hole in her heart and the doctor will also widen her valve.
The closer we get to her surgery the more I start to stress out to know my 4 month old will have to undergo such a big surgery at such a young age And seeing another medical bill every time I check the mail just adds to the stress
If you can please help us out with anything our family would truly appreciate it.
Thank You
Kensley's Mom and Dad
Kensley is seen by her Cardiologist at Choc anywhere from once a week or once every two weeks.
After I was released from disability I then found out if I wanted to take the time off for when Kensley has her surgery and have my job protected I would not be able to take my bonding time under FMLA. I would have to use my FMLA for her surgery. I then returned to work, since I have to be with my daughter during her surgery as well as her recovery.
I have been back at work for about a month and a half and since then I have taken a number of day’s off or have left early to take Kensley to her doctor’s appointments so John can stay at home with brother and sister.
Starting March 17th I will be off of work for two months and since FMLA pays less than disability it is going to be tight for our family since Kensley’s medical bills are stacking up, as well as the gas and time off of work I have had to take off to take Kensley to her appointments since we live in Riverside County and Kensley’s doctor’s office as well as the hospital she will have to have her surgery is in Orange County.
Kensley will have her surgery on the 19th of March to close the hole in her heart and the doctor will also widen her valve.
The closer we get to her surgery the more I start to stress out to know my 4 month old will have to undergo such a big surgery at such a young age And seeing another medical bill every time I check the mail just adds to the stress
If you can please help us out with anything our family would truly appreciate it.
Thank You
Kensley's Mom and Dad
Organiser
Melinda Espinoza
Organiser
Corona, CA
