Christy Gallagher Leremy Sturm Baby Iver
Donation protected
Life is full of surprises and 2020 has been no exception full of uncertainty and many unknowns. After many years of trying to get pregnant and a positive pregnancy test the beginning of 2020 was shaping up to be the best year yet. However after their ultrasound in April of 2020 there were concerns and lots of uncertainties.
Christy recently had an echocardiogram, which showed that Iver, their baby boy, has a complex congenital heart condition called unbalanced AV canal with near pulmonary atresia. It is a single ventricle disease that affects a child's physical activity and other body systems, such as the liver and neurodevelopment.
Iver's condition is not causing problems during pregnancy due to how blood circulates during pregnancy. After birth, a baby with this form of heart disease cannot survive without surgery. He will need a series of 3 surgeries during infancy and childhood to ensure enough blood flows to the body and lungs. Surgeries will help manage symptoms but will not cure the original problem. He will need lifelong ongoing cardiology care. For some people, a heart transplant is a possibility but it is not a cure either.
We already know that Iver's stomach is on the right side, called abdominal situs inversus and or probable heterotaxy syndrome, which may or may not cause issues in the future.
In October Christy will be relocating to Fort Worth, TX to get the proper care that her and her son will need. Once Iver is born, he will be hooked up via IV to a medication called Prostaglandin to keep the blood circulating until surgery. He will then be transferred to the appropriate Childrens Hospital within a few hours of birth so they can confirm details of his heart, overall health, and guide surgical care.
The first surgery, a shunt or stent will be done at 5-7 days of age. The second surgery will be done at 3-6 months and the third is done at 3-5 years old.
Since the 2nd surgery will be a high risk period, the doctors want them to remain in the area to monitor the little guy, Christy and Iver will stay in Fort Worth, TX so they are close to the specialty hospital until they are cleared to come back to Montana, 6-8 months after Iver is born.
Christy will not be able to work and is uncertain of when she will be able to return. Leremy will continue to work what he can and will take some time off when Iver is born.
For those who personally know Christy and Leremy their generosity shines through as one of their many great qualities. I have been asked by many what can we do to help? First and foremost every time you think about Christy, Leremy & Iver, their heart warrior, please pray for them. There are more unknowns than knowns at this time but we are so thankful that we have amazing hospitals and doctors. They have a long hard road ahead of them. Second if you would like to donate financially we have set up this gofundme for all the unknowns and to help alleviate all stress that maybe financial. The next 6 - 12 months are going to be full of ups and downs and it is my hope the there are more ups than downs.
Christy recently had an echocardiogram, which showed that Iver, their baby boy, has a complex congenital heart condition called unbalanced AV canal with near pulmonary atresia. It is a single ventricle disease that affects a child's physical activity and other body systems, such as the liver and neurodevelopment.
Iver's condition is not causing problems during pregnancy due to how blood circulates during pregnancy. After birth, a baby with this form of heart disease cannot survive without surgery. He will need a series of 3 surgeries during infancy and childhood to ensure enough blood flows to the body and lungs. Surgeries will help manage symptoms but will not cure the original problem. He will need lifelong ongoing cardiology care. For some people, a heart transplant is a possibility but it is not a cure either.
We already know that Iver's stomach is on the right side, called abdominal situs inversus and or probable heterotaxy syndrome, which may or may not cause issues in the future.
In October Christy will be relocating to Fort Worth, TX to get the proper care that her and her son will need. Once Iver is born, he will be hooked up via IV to a medication called Prostaglandin to keep the blood circulating until surgery. He will then be transferred to the appropriate Childrens Hospital within a few hours of birth so they can confirm details of his heart, overall health, and guide surgical care.
The first surgery, a shunt or stent will be done at 5-7 days of age. The second surgery will be done at 3-6 months and the third is done at 3-5 years old.
Since the 2nd surgery will be a high risk period, the doctors want them to remain in the area to monitor the little guy, Christy and Iver will stay in Fort Worth, TX so they are close to the specialty hospital until they are cleared to come back to Montana, 6-8 months after Iver is born.
Christy will not be able to work and is uncertain of when she will be able to return. Leremy will continue to work what he can and will take some time off when Iver is born.
For those who personally know Christy and Leremy their generosity shines through as one of their many great qualities. I have been asked by many what can we do to help? First and foremost every time you think about Christy, Leremy & Iver, their heart warrior, please pray for them. There are more unknowns than knowns at this time but we are so thankful that we have amazing hospitals and doctors. They have a long hard road ahead of them. Second if you would like to donate financially we have set up this gofundme for all the unknowns and to help alleviate all stress that maybe financial. The next 6 - 12 months are going to be full of ups and downs and it is my hope the there are more ups than downs.
Organizer and beneficiary
Lisa Gerhard
Organizer
Missoula, MT
Christy Sturm
Beneficiary
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