Baby Reed Herzog’s Open Heart Surgery Support

On October 17, 2020 at 4:45am we welcomed a new family member weighing in at 5 lbs 15 oz and 20 inches long. My nephew, Reed Herzog, or as my twins call him “baby Rita” has just turned 4 months old. When he went to his 4 month check up a nurse noticed that he was breathing harder than normal. When the doctor took a look at him he heard a heart murmur and noticed that he had not gained any weight and in the 1st percentile for his age. He was sent that day for an X-Ray of his heart which showed it was enlarged. The very next day he was sent for an echocardiogram which showed every parents worst nightmare he had a congenital heart condition called an Atrioventricular (AV) Canal Defect. What that means is there is a hole in his heart where the left and right atrium of the heart meet and a hole where the ventricles meet as well. Also know as 2 separate heart defects one called atrial septal defect (ASD) and one called ventricular septal defect (VSD) which are sometimes common and small and can close on their own. Unfortunately with his problems it also comes with an issue with the valve where one side is smaller and doesn’t close. Kind of like finding Nemo and his gimpy fin it’s smaller on one side requiring the valves to be fixed to prevent back-flow of blood. 

What this means: since he is only 4 months old he is going to have a wait a little longer but he will be having open heart surgery between now and about 6 months old. It is a very extensive surgery 4-6 hours and it is in Phoenix which is a drive for the parents. For everyone that knows Jason and autumn the are the kindest, most selfless people you could ever meet. I know they would never ask for help but I also know how stressed out and how much heart ache and pain they are feeling. I want to lighten the burden on them as they will have to travel, take off work, pay extensive medical bills, plus deal with a baby that just had open heart surgery.


Please if you can donate any amount of money big or small to help this poor family I would greatly appreciate it!

With all our love,
Auntie Bree, Uncle Tim, Cousin Luke and Kaylee Herzog