Baby Joey James Zwolinski’s Heart Journey ❤️

Hello, we are family of Nick and Jeralyn Zwolinski. On Tuesday August 23rd, Nick and Jeralyn went to Woman & Infants for a standard anatomy scan for 21 week old baby Joey James Zwolinski. At that appointment, their world, as well as ours, was shook when the maternal fetal medicine doctor voiced concern that baby Joey has complex congenital heart defects. Because of the diagnosis, Nick and Jeralyn were referred to Boston Children’s Hospital for opinions, recommendations and coordination of further care.

After an appointment with Boston Children’s Hospital, it was confirmed that Joey has three congenital cardiac defects-

1. Transposition of the great vessels(his two major arteries of his heart are switched in position and going to the wrong side of his heart.)

2. A ventricular septal defect (he has a hole in his heart.)

3. Critical pulmonary stenosis (His pulmonary artery which pumps blood to the lungs to get oxygen is very tiny along with a narrowing to his pulmonary valve.)

Due to the complexity of Joey’s cardiac defects, it is expected that Jeralyn will be induced at Brigham and Women’s at 39 weeks. Boston is about a two hour drive from the families home in Southern Rhode Island and she may be required to stay in Boston prior to delivery due to the distance.

The goal of 39 weeks is to allow Joey to grow while closely monitoring mom and baby. This way the providers can ensure both are doing well without the risk of delivering without appropriate cardiac care for Joey. Jeralyn’s care will be shared in the meantime between Woman and Infants in Providence and Brigham and Women’s in Boston to allow Jeralyn to receive her regular OB care closer to home.

Boston Children’s brings a multi step plan to the table with optimism for baby Joey’s prognosis and future. After he is born at Brigham and Women’s, Joey will be transported by the NICU team and Nick to Boston Children’s where he will be throughly evaluated by their team. Joey will lead in determining when and which interventions will occur based on how his oxygen is maintained at birth and the days immediately following.

The ultimate goal of the pediatric cardiologists from Boston Children’s is to try to preform the least invasive method of caring for Joey prior to a full open heart surgery. That way he can grow and mature and be ready to recover easier. This will also give him more time before his next surgical interventions.

Either way, Joey is expected to have at least two hospitalizations and interventions before the age of one. Each hospitalization leading to at least 3-4 weeks of recovery time in the hospital. Jeralyn will remain with Joey. Family will help care for Joey’s siblings, Chase and Isabella. But, there will be a lot of movement and lack of normalcy for the entire family.

Again, Joey leads the way. Having a heart baby, even should recovery be straightforward, does not come without challenges. Joey’s oxygen, feeding, weight gain and tolerance of feeds will have to be closely monitored prior to and after discharge from the hospital. There will be many appointments, in home nursing, consults and coordination of care.

Throughout his life, Joey will always have close care with a cardiologist. He will go in for cardiac caths and procedures to ensure his heart is functioning appropriately.

Joey is a strong little boy, named after his Great Papa and Great PopPop. Along with a strong name, Joey has strength from all who support him. Nick and Jeralyn are hopeful for their little boy and doing all they can to ensure that he has the best chance of being happy and healthy while striving to gain awareness towards congenital heart defects.

It is our hope to help them ease the financial burden, uplift them, and make things a bit easier on them with love and support for baby Joey James Zwolinski.

“Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.”
—Winnie the Pooh

With love,

Rob & Lisa Tefft

David & Debbie Zwolinski

Josh & Danielle Brown

#JoeyStrong

#StrongerTogether