Roman Brown’s Heart Journey

One of my very best friends just had her whole world turned upside down. Briana is one of those souls you meet once in a lifetime. She is the brightest light in any room she enters, gives grace and love as if it’s as easy as blinking and supports her tribe in a way I could only dream of doing myself. She was born to be a momma and her love for her family is indescribable. She met her match when she found Scott. He is everything she dreamed her partner would be and is the best dad to Atlas! He is as hard working as they come and loves his family with his whole heart. As they are about to welcome their second child, they are facing challenges that would feel impossible to endure for most. Please read on to see what they are up against and how anything you have to offer would be the greatest gift to this sweet family who would never ask for anything but could use everything right now.

In June 2022, Briana and Scott were so excited to find out they were expecting their 2nd child! They couldn’t wait for Atlas to finally be a big brother and continue to grow their little family. Their lives were about to change, but they never could have imagined just how much.

For the first 7 months, Briana’s pregnancy was completely normal and considered low risk. At her 20 week anatomy scan in which the Dr did not see a ‘complete’ view of the baby’s heart from the sonographer, she returned for a full and complete scan to make sure the pictures were clear enough to view. It was noted and reassured by the radiologist that all organs were present, functioning and normal and there was nothing to be concerned about. At 32 weeks, after finally getting a referral to a High Risk Dr for a 3rd full body scan ‘just in case’, it was revealed that the baby did in fact have a serious and rare congenital heart condition that was never addressed and completely missed by both doctors and radiologists.

After meeting with a pediatric cardiologist, the baby was diagnosed with HLHS (Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome), meaning the heart did not form fully, leaving them with 1/2 of a working heart that will require extensive long term care and treatments. Briana and Scott have since decided to transfer care to continue birth and all medical needs in Gainesville, Fl. The baby will have immediate open heart surgery (vital for keeping the heart pumping and blood flowing to the rest of the body), as well as 2 more required surgeries to follow within the first 3 years of life in order to restructure and repair the heart. They will also need many other procedures, treatments and therapies along the way, including the possibility of a heart transplant, as well as additional genetic testing after birth. Had this been diagnosed in the beginning of the pregnancy, there could have been alternative treatment options available to them that could have reduced the severity of this disease. This is a lifelong condition that will require continuous monitoring, lifestyle changes and long term medical care.

Not only has this news been a major shock that has flipped their lives upside down, but they’ve been flooded with many overwhelming emotions, while also taking care of their 2 year old son and preparing for everything that is to come in just a few short weeks.

Many friends and family have asked how they can help them during this time, especially being long distance from most. They would never reach out and ask for anything at all, but I hope this allows everyone to help however they can. Any donation will help ease the financial burden for them during this long road ahead.

The funds will be used to help support the Brown family with:

⁃ Medical costs for Baby Brown’s surgeries, hospital stays, home equipment and all other treatments

⁃ Travel expenses from Orlando to Gainesville weekly before birth and ultimately relocation indefinitely needing to be closer to the hospital

⁃ Living expenses and months of reduced income while Scott takes unpaid leave to care for Briana, Atlas and Baby Brown.

This is a completely unexpected life change for the entire family and we ask you to send positivity and support however you can. Please pray for peace, guidance, strength, steady hands of drs, and most of all, a healthy baby with a full recovery! We will continue to update upon Baby Brown’s arrival into this world.

Thank you so much for all of your love, thoughts and prayers. ❤️