Callie's Heart Surgeries and Medical Expenses

Hello, we're TylerPaige and Cody. We are the most beautiful little girls parents. Callie is smart, brave, and strong. But, faces some troubles along her path.

When TylerPaige was 12 years old she was told she would never have children. At 26 we found out she was expecting a miracle and thats exactly what Callie Jayne Herzog is. At 22 weeks pregnant, TylerPaige went in to a routine anatomy scan with Cody. As the scan was going on, the tech was showing us her hands and feet, confirming she was going to be a little girl, she noticed something was off. The tech kept going back to her heart. The tech then told us she needed to go get something and came back with the OB. The OB put her hand on TylerPaige's shoulder and let her know that Callie's heart wasn't beating at the right pace, TylerPaige was being rushed to the emergency room. This beautiful experience had turned in to our biggest nightmare. Callie was diagnosed with Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Greater Arteries accompanied by complete heart block. Filled with fear and anxiety the next 17 weeks would consist of high risk doctor appointments 2 to 3 times a week. Checking her heart. Checking to see if she was practicing breathing. And making sure she did not have hydrops. Every day that went by we had no idea if she would make it to delivery day. At 39 weeks they scheduled the emergency C-section.

Holding our daughter for the first time made life feel complete. She surpassed the odds against her. She knew we needed her. Callie was rushed to the NICU where she would spend the next 8 days of her life. Callie was so tiny being 7lbs and 10oz they were unable to get an IV in to her so they had to put a line in through her umbilical cord. We weren't able to hold our baby again until she was 5 days old. Seeing her lay in that box was the hardest thing we've ever had to go through.

Since she's been home she has routine cardiologist appointments with 24 hour Holter monitors, complete or limited echos, as well as ECGs. Callie is almost a year old and it is time for her to get her PA Banding and Pacemaker to prepare her for her Double switch operation. Both of these surgeries will happen a year apart. One open chest and one open heart. Because Callie's conditions (CCTGA and Complete heart block) are so rare we are being sent to the Boston Children's Hospital. This hospital is one of the extremely few hospitals with any experience in these complex situations. Callie, myself, and my family are asking for some financial assistance with our travel expenses, medical bills, and financial obligations while out of work. The first visit to Boston will be in the upcoming months and consists of a minimum 2 week stay. The recovery is 8 to 10 days in the CICU and then one out patient check up. If you are unable to donate, a share is greatly appreciated. Please help us help our baby get the heart surgeries she needs to live a long, strong, life ❤️