Chance Ambrose

Hello, I'm Britni, this handsome guys mother. On February 2, 2022 we welcomed our first son into the world. He was 7.5 lbs and as far as we knew healthy.
Chance Ambrose Jimenez

 

 

 

 

On February 23, 2022, we had our first pediatric appointment. At this appointment, our pediatrician was worried about Chance. He was weighing at 7.43lbs, he heard a swooshing sound in his chest, and was concerned about his poor feeding habits and fast breathing.

We were immediately sent to the E.R. where they did an echocardiogram and discovered a concering Congenital Heart Defect, VSD. Ventricular Septal Defect - a hole in the wall between the heart's lower chambers.

 

An airmed crew was sent to San Angelo, TX and they flew us to The Children's Methodist Hospital Of San Antonio, TX.

After doing their own echo, x-rays & a CT scan , they saw not one but two holes in his heart. One of which requires open heart surgery, along with Coarctation Of the Aorta - the aorta is narrower than it should be. The aorta is the large artery that carries oxygen-rich blood from the left ventricle to the body. This narrowing means that less oxygen-rich blood is sent to the body.

 

 

 

 

Chance started showing severe symptoms quickly such as weight loss, poor feedings, fast breathing & extreme fatigue. They quickly had him hooked up to leads to monitor his heart rate, sp02 levels, respiratory rates, blood flow and blood pressure. We attempted breast feeding on demand but he was tiring out fast and burning more calories than taking in. We tried pacing him with a bottle and he was having a hard time finishing 2 ounces - he got to taking around 45 minutes to finish his bottle, so a feeding tube was inserted. 

 

 

 

 

On March 4th, he had to have surgery on his coA. After which he was put on a ventilator machine. Within a few days the ventilator machine was removed and replaced with a nose canula and a nutrition thru IVs. We were on track with recovery and attempted to switch the canula with a high flow to slowly wean him back to breathing without the extra support. And inserted a feeding tube. He was starting to gain weight again and didn't seem to tire so quickly. The treatment plan was to get him gaining atleast 20kgs a day along with weaning him completely off the machines to be sent home with medications until he gained enough weight and gets up to 4-6 months old for his open heart surgery.

 

 

 

 

March 8th, he spiked a fever and has been getting labs, evos, and cultures done almost daily. He has elevated CRPs & WBCs meaning both inflammation and infection.

 

 

March 13th, we are unsure what infection he is fighting. But the doctors are testing him daily to find answers. He has dropped down to 3.2 kg - 7.04lbs, is febrile teetering 99/100.2 °F along with red eyes. He has more testing scheduled thru the week. We cannot move forward with going home or possibly having his operation until we get this infection discovered.

 

 

 

I have been staying in a hotel so I can be next to him all thru the days while Dad and sister are at home. If we can get any help it would be greatly appreciated as bills, gas, food, lodging are all starting to pile up. Anything extra will put out towards Chance's savings account and/or his care after being released to go home.

 

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