Baby Gardenia's Healing Heart

Gardenia Astra Belle was born at SNMH on March 14th at 4:40pm.  Shortly after her birth she was whisked away for blood draws, x-rays and other testing. They discovered that very little oxygen was going to her heart. And, just like that a newborn is rushed via ambulance to UC Davis Children's Hospital; her terrified parents and confused sister following closely behind. The family has been by Gardenia's side this past week as she underwent her first heart surgery. Gardenia has been diagnosed with three very rare heart defects; Pulmonary Valve Atresia and a Large Muscular VSD, and Aortopulmonary Window (the Dr. said he has only seen 5 similar cases.) She will have to have two heart valve replacements, because she will eventually need a larger valve as her body grows. They are estimating that she may have to undergo 3 open heart surgeries. The family is praying to God that does not have to happen, and they are remaining hopeful for the best. They will be at the Children's Hospital for at least 2 weeks, possibly a few months. Medical expenses are a complete unknown at this time, but they have been told Gardenia will not be covered under her parents insurance, and will be assigned to a cardiologist for routine check ups and medications, once she returns home.

Home. This is another point of concern for this family. They are currently living on a piece of raw land, in their trailer. Their intention is to build a yurt or some sort of suitable dwelling to return home to. That being said, they do not have the means to do so. They are in need of financial offerings to help in manifesting a warm, dry, safe home space, with plumbing. They will for sure need help with the daunting, inevitable medical expenses as well.

Perhaps in the interim, someone has a mother-in-law unit, or some sort of private space that could accommodate a family of 4, as they build their new home?  And/or perhaps you have a yurt to donate, or could help build a structure for a discounted rate? Maybe you have an older, reliable vehicle to donate? The possibilities are far reaching; you know how you may be able to contribute to this family in their time of great need. All contributions are welcome in the most urgent way.

If you have read this far, please know that every prayer and offering is so vital to the support and health of this family. They have had little rest or nourishment since their newest member arrived...

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Local community members are gathering together to create care packages for Si, Orion & Magnolia. We intend to take turns bringing care packages, as long as the family is in Sacramento (UC DAVIS).

We will create a new facebook event page for next Collective Care Package shortly...
If you wish to contribute to the next round, please stay tuned!

Suggested Items:
- Non-perishable food, snacks & drinks (ex: food bars, trail mix, dried fruit, fresh fruit, coconut water, juice, bone broth) ORGANIC if possible please. She has access to a small fridge, but please limit perishables so they don't go to waste before they can finish them.
- Financial help for buying groceris
- Teas (nursing friendly)
-Supplements/superfoods/herbs to support quality milk & production
-Breast milk storage bags
- Postpartum items that were special or helpful for you
- Little something for Magnolia (ex: loving book)

Requested Items From Si:
- Disposable diapers for Magnolia (size 5)
- Resuable cloth menstrual pads
- Cloth nursing pads
- Nursing bra (size:med/lrg)
-Nursing tops (size: lrg/xlrg)

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We will post updates on Gardenia's progress as things unfold:

March 21st-they have scheduled a surgery using a camera to further examine her heart...

March 24th-she is scheduled for her second open heart surgery.

"We just got done meeting with the Drs. They have never seen a combination of all 3 defects together, they are unsure about the surgery tomorrow and want to do more heart ultrasounds, to really understand what is happening. She may or may not have to have the surgery tomorrow and we are hoping we can wait until she is at least two months of age." -Si

"Gardenia made it through her second Surgery! Thank you everyone for all of the love, prayers, well wishes & kindness, it is what keeps us going! We love you!"
❤️ Si, Orion, baby Magnolia and littlest Gardenia

“Gardenia’s second surgery was a success. The doctors were able to fix the two major, immediate issues of her heart and were pleased with how things went. They repaired a hole in the lower arterial wall of her heart and freed the blockage in her pulmonary arterial valve by removing the artery which allowed complete separation between the two chambers of the heart. This morning, they were finally able to suture her incision area. Right now they are slowly weaning her off of sedatives and pain killers. If everything goes as planned and she can breathe on her own, without assistance they are going to remove her breathing tube tomorrow and hopefully she will be able to consume breast milk in the next week or so, as of now they have her on nutrients and electrolytes.

Her VSD will be another surgery which will be addressed later. We are hopeful that they can hold off on the next surgery after 6 months of age. The Drs said it is a miracle that she is alive!” -Si 

UPDATE March 27th: They took her breathing tube out today! Bright beautiful star!


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As a mother of a toddler and newborn myself,  I continually attempt to put myself in the shoes of this family, and especially mama Si. The labor of birthing a child into this world, after 9 months of pregnancy is so taxing mind, body and spirit. The ache of being separated from your helpless newborn excruciating. The exhaustion they must all be feeling, under all of the worry, and amidst caring for a toddler, must be tremendous. We feel for each of you Si, Orion, sister Magnolia & baby Gardenia. We breathe with you. We pray with you. We will help in anyway we are able. Blessings of protection and healing abound/surround.