Baby Heier HLHS Diagnosis

Hi, my name is Michelle, and I am fundraising for my daughter Taysha Prawdzik and her partner Anthony Heier who are expecting a baby with a due date of September 5th.

Taysha and Anthony went for their routine ultrasound appointment at 19 weeks. At that time, the baby was prenatally diagnosed with a congenital heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS).

Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome is a congenital defect that affects normal blood flow through the heart. As the baby develops during pregnancy, the left side of the heart does not form correctly. A baby with this defect requires open heart surgery within the first week of life. HLHS is considered a critical congenital heart defect (CCHD).

After a baby with HLHS is born, multiple heart surgeries are required.

The first surgery required within the first week of delivery for their baby: Sano Modification of Norwood Procedure:

With the Norwood procedure, a major blood vessel to the body (aorta) is constructed from the base of the pulmonary artery and the narrowed aorta. In addition, a small tube made of Gore-Tex (known as a Modified Blalock-Taussig Shunt), is inserted between the branches of the pulmonary artery and a branch of the aorta to ensure blood flow to the lungs after the PDA closes. The Sano Modification of the Norwood involves the placement of a conduit between the pulmonary artery and the right ventricle instead of the Modified Blalock-Taussig Shunt.

Between the age of 4-6 months, the baby would require its second surgery, Glenn Procedure, followed by the third surgery at the age of three called Extracardiac Fontan.

Since finding out this diagnosis, they have been doctoring in Calgary and Edmonton, with regular visits to Calgary for echocardiograms to monitor the baby's heart during the pregnancy. However, they will need to relocate to Edmonton on August 15th, in the event Taysha goes into early labour, so they can be close to their team of surgeons that will be prepared to monitor the baby and perform the surgery as soon as they feel it is needed, which can not be determined until the baby is born. Baby will be transferred to the Stollery Children's Hospital after delivery where it will be monitored in the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit where the baby will remain until after surgery and is stable.

It is expected that they will be in Edmonton between 6-8 weeks, depending on how the baby does and the recovery time. For this reason, I am starting a GoFundMe to help alleviate the financial stress so these first-time parents can focus on their new baby. Donations will help with housing, food, fuel, and other expenses while residing in Edmonton.

The two will greatly appreciate any donation, most importantly, prayers while they go through this challenging journey. I will update this page to let everyone know how they are doing.