Baby Bunner- Strength for the Journey

Over the past several weeks, Julia and Colton found out that the baby boy she is carrying has HRHS; a congenital heart defect. Asher will be a single-ventricle baby, meaning only one side of his heart will function and do the work for both. This means he will require a surgical procedure at birth, followed by 2 open-heart surgeries; one at 3-6 mos, and a second at 3-5yrs.

Here is a small glimpse of what baby Asher, Julia, Colton, Chera, and Brooks will be facing:

Hurdle 1 – Ongoing weekly prenatal check-ups to measure baby Asher’s heart and heart function to make sure he will be strong enough at birth to take his first breath and to make the transition from the safety of Mommy’s womb to this big, scary new world;

Hurdle 2 – A normal vaginal delivery versus a Caesarian – this will help Asher breathe better and will help with perfusion (i.e., blood flow to his little body);

Hurdle 3 – No bonding with baby Asher immediately after birth because Asher will be whisked away to the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) where he will be hooked up to a bunch of machines so the doctors and nurses can monitor every beat of his heart and every breath he takes;

Hurdle 4 – If baby Asher’s perfusion is not where it should be at birth, the doctors will place a stent within the first week of baby Asher’s life to keep him strong until his first open heart surgery at 3-6 months;

Hurdle 5 – At 3-6 months, baby Asher will have his first open heart surgery (it is called a Glenn procedure, which connects a major vein to a major artery). The doctors explained that this will allow oxygen-poor blood from his upper body to go straight to the lungs to get oxygen;

Hurdle 6 – Ongoing daily check-ups and monitoring until baby Asher is 3-4 years old to make sure his heart continues to work properly;

Hurdle 7 – At 3-4 years old, toddler Asher will have his second open heart surgery (it is called a Fontan procedure, which connects another major vein to a major artery). The doctors explained that this will allow oxygen-poor blood from his lower body to get blood directly from the lungs;

Hurdle 8 – A lifetime of monitoring and doctors’ visits.

Julia, Colton, Chera, Brooks, and baby Asher hope to check off each of the above on this long journey ahead for baby Asher. The cost of baby Asher’s care will not be covered 100% by insurance and Mommy will need to stay home to take care of baby Asher and Brooks. The Bunners face the biggest mental, emotional, and financial challenge ahead of them. We are asking for a little help from each of you. No amount is too small. As baby Asher’s great, great, grandmother Lucille used to tell her grandkids – “God is on your side. You can make it, I know.” – and she would tuck a $1.00 bill inside each card. So, if you can, send $1.00 for great, great grandma Lucille.

And, as a side note – baby Asher’s due date is January 19, 2024. The doctors decided to induce Julia a week earlier -- on January 12, 2024, baby Asher’s great grandfather David’s birthday who died way too early in life and unexpectedly. Our family has always questioned “why?” – maybe it was so he could be baby Asher’s guardian angel.