Baby Maples' HLHS Fund

12 more weeks until Zoe and Dylan welcome their third little Maples into the world!

For those of you who don't know, this little one was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), a rare congenital heart defect, at Zoe's routine 20-week anatomy scan. While this was completely unexpected and the road ahead is long, I am confident that Zoe and Dylan's community is ready to rally around them and provide as much love and support as we can!

Baby Maples will have two major heart surgeries during the first couple of months of his life, with the first being just a few days after birth. During this time, Zoe and Dylan want to be able to give their time and attention to supporting him and loving on him while in the NICU. Because of this, Dylan will be away from work for an indefinite period of time. Dylan's work is completely based on commission, which adds further stress to an already financially stressful situation. If you are wanting to help this sweet family, donations of any amount can be used for everything from groceries and gas to medical bills and other appointments not covered by insurance that are necessary for this family's wellness. You can donate at this link and share it on social media.

Zoe, Dylan, and big brothers Truman and Boston are so grateful for any contribution. This little guy is truly about to be welcomed into the BEST family EVER!

If you'd like to read more about Baby Maples' plan of care... From Zoe:

"Our current care plan is us being induced at 39 weeks for a normal delivery, (our cardiologist said she would prefer this over a c-section like we previously planned so they can get a better look at the oxygenation levels his lungs and heart can handle) then immediately after delivery he will be taken to Cook Children’s Cardiac ICU where Dylan will get to go with him while they get him stabilized and set up his IV meds and oxygen. I can come as soon as I’m checked over and cleared to go back and forth through the hospitals’ connecting bridge.

He will have his first surgery, The Norwood, on day 3-5 of life. This moves around his heart so his right ventricle is pumping both the “red and blue” blood to his body and lungs instead of the lungs relying on the left ventricle. They will have to leave his chest open for a week or so afterwards because after coming off of cardiopulmonary bypass and ventilation during surgery, his organs will be swollen.

If all goes well, he will come home at 6 weeks old with a feeding tube or possible GI button, pulse ox and scale to make sure he gains weight (babies with HLHS burn calories much faster than normal babies due to the extra work their bodies have to do to function).

His next surgery will be The Glenn procedure at 4 months old. Our doctors said the process of recovery between the Norwood and Glenn is very difficult but crucial. It’s a short window of time for someone so small to gain their strength back.

After he’s recovered from The Glenn, he will start occupational, physical and speech therapy as he will be delayed in his milestones from being stuck on his back for 5 months. We’re hoping to find a great team that can even come to our house so I don’t have to lug all three boys to Cook’s every week!

His third surgery, The Fontan, is done the year he turns 3- but for right now we’ve just got our focus set on a positive recovery from his first 2 open-heart surgeries."