Caleb and Traci Tiffany got married on October 11, 2014. Six months after we were married we learned that we were expecting our first child. Our due date would be January 10th, 2016. I was admitted to the ER two times late June and early July for pain that nobody could solve until I was diagnosed diabetic by the ER doctor July 4th, 2015. I met with an endocrinologist (diabetes doctor) throughout the remainder of my pregnancy. I drastically changed my diet and journaled everything I ate along with checking my blood sugars 7+ times per day and taking 2 insulin shots a day as well. Towards the end of my pregnancy my A1C was re-checked and it was below pre-diabetic level. The doctors and nurses were pleased to see how well I managed my diet considering most people don't do as well. Eight weeks later we had our anatomy scan at Maternal Fetal Medicine at Maple Grove Hospital. During the ultrasound we learned that the Materniti21 genetic test was false on the gender. We learned that we were having a boy. At this appointment we also learned that Brody had a heart defect and that we would need to have an echocardiogram done the next day down at Amplatz Children's Hospital in Minneapolis. This was 1 of 4 appointments we attended at Children's which they ultimatley left us with 2 options. We could either termiate the pregnancy which was offered on more than one occassion or Brody would need a heart transplant after birth. We were not satisfied with these options so we asked for a referral to Rochester Mayo. At 26 weeks we met with Dr. Johnson, Cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic. He performed another echocardiogram on me and gave us a more accurate diagnosis with a more positive outcome. Brody was diangosed with Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Greater Arteries. This means that his right and left ventricles are reversed. Brody also has some other heart anomolies such as a leaky left valve, and a smaller than normal aorta. Dr. Johnson explained this could be corrected with a 3 phase surgery known as the Norwood, Glenn and Fontaine. The Norwood surgery was performed when he was just a week old on January 4th, 2016. This is the most complicated heart surgery they perform at St. Mary's. The surgery took 12 hours and required Brody to be on a heart bypass machine throughout the surgery. The "Glenn surgery" will take place when he is approximately 3 months old. The "Fontaine sugery" will be performed when he is approximately 3 years old.

Brody is still recovering from his first surgery and he continues to be in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at St. Mary's hospital in Rochester. We expected Brody to be here recovering for approximately 3-4 weeks. The Doctor's and his heart surgeon are pleased with how well he is recovering and his heart function. Although, we recently learned that his right valve now has a severe leak which may require another surgery prior to the "Glenn." This will push out our approximate ICU stay.  He could have surgery as early as this week to fix the leaking right valve if it does not correct itself with medication. There is a 20-30% chance that it will correct itself with the medication. We learned that he is unable to do more than 50% of his breathing on his own because of the newly discovered leaky right valve. This will further complicate his ability to learn how to eat; breath, suck,  and swallow something that should come natural in the first week of life. Brody has not had the opportunity to learn to eat due to the constant oxygen flow through his nostrils.

Our family has a need for funds that will not be covered by insurance and time missed from work so that we are able to be by Brody's side as he recovers from his surgeries and so that Caleb could take some time off of work while Brody recovers. We are so thankful for all of the prayers and support we have received on a daily basis. This has been an extremely difficult journey for both of our families, Traci and Caleb especially.

Caleb is an independent contractor and only gets paid when he works, he has no benefits and no sick or vacation time. This requires him to leave Traci and Brody down in Rochester and return to the Cities for work Monday through Friday. The transition is difficult for both of us as Caleb is torn between staying in Rochester with me and Brody and having to make money. Traci has struggled emotionally with having to watch Brody go through so much during the week and not having the phsycial support of Caleb, the phone just does not always help.

Again, thank you so much for the continued prayers and support.

Caleb and Traci Tiffany