My friends Katie O’Brien and Josh (Josue) Molina lost their 9 year old son Andy, suddenly on Thursday 6/15. Andy was diagnosed with HLHS at birth and had to undergo multiple open heart surgeries and many procedures. Thank you for anything you are able to contribute to help their family get through this difficult time!

It is with an extremely painful heart that I have to write this post.. But everyone has been on this incredible journey with us as we become CHD/HLHS parents but this is so unimaginable..

Our sweet precious Andy passed away this morning around 1am.. We found him unresponsive on Tues morning as we assume it was heart related.. We both did CPR until the paramedics arrive who took over.. We were all unwilling to get a pulse until he arrived at the hospital nearest our house.. After he had a pulse, Andy was able to be transferred to Wolfsons Hospital.. There, they're able to stable his heart beat but unfortunately his brain suffered too much damage from no oxygen for over 30mins before they were able to get a pulse.. The heart can get help from machines to become stronger but the brain cannot be repaired or restore once there's been significant damage such as Andy's.. The only part of the brain that was still functioning was the brainstem that is only responsible for breathing, blood pressure, heart rate & a few other reflux functions.. That sweet little one ventricle heart just kept working even after they took him off all the medications to help it pump with assistance from an oxygen machine.. We were able to hold him and love him for over 24hrs until his heart finally stopped.. And it was one of the most excruciating pains that I've ever experienced in my life.. I thought it was hard dealing with his 3 open heart surgeries (especially the first open heart surgery when he was 11days old) but nothing could ever measure to seeing your baby leaving this world.. Walking out of the hospital knowing you'll never see that smile or hear his laugh.. Have him tell you the newest movie he can't wait to see (showing you trailer after trailer) & all the merchandise that he HAS to have.. The empty feeling Josue & I woke up to this morning after leaving the hospital after 2am, knowing all the things we had planned to do.. All the first & experience our baby doesn't get to as do or accomplish.. Its a extremely physical pain that honestly no one on this earth should ever have to endure..

Andy was an amazing boy who accomplished so much! He just turned 9years old in April.. He was on the AB honor the entire year of 2nd grade & would get high colors daily.. He received the Principal Award both years at Clay Hill.. His teacher this year would call and say how much she loved Andy.. Her words "I have to remember to call on other kids because if not I would always pick Andy".. And he strived to do his best & was so proud of all his accomplishments.. He loved his video games - fortnite, cupheads, Mario games, sonic & his newest gorilla tag on the oculus.. He wanted to be a YouTuber.. He used to LOVE Ryan's World then the Royal Family & FGTeev (we just got the latest book last week & he read it all).. He loved going to parks, ChuckECheese, the mall & soo many places! He also LOVED candy! That boy had a sweet tooth like no other! He was so shy with a lot of anxiety in everything he did but he had really been breaking out of his shell.. Being comfortable talking to people.. He loved both his brothers fiercely! I'm sure I will being posting soo many random videos & pictures I have throughout the years (apologizes in advance) but he was so beautiful and we're so proud of him!!!

I'm not sure how we're going to get through THIS pain & emptiness.. The hurt of not having him here with us, enjoying life together as a family.. Watching him grow to become who he was going to be.. Yet he was our miracle baby..!! He was in critical condition with only hours left from his valve closing at two days old.. That's when he was diagnosed with HLHS & he has been fighting ever since! He's had 3 open heart surgeries & many procedures that require being put to sleep.. It was scary as a parent even when I could show it for him but he faced it all! I'll be forever grateful for the amazing wonderful 9years this sweet boy gave to us! Faith, hope & love! ❤️ He's our hero and our baby! Our love will last a lifetime.. Please keep praying for our family as we desperately need it!!