Ethan's Heart Surgery Fundraiser
Donation protected
A note from Kendal, Ethan's mom:
The day we found out we were expecting again was a day filled with emotion. The idea of adding another child to our family was so exciting. Yet the fear of losing another child was almost too much to bear. At our first OB appointment we were given the option to go high risk since our son Aiden had been still born with multiple defects. We decided to try and treat this like a normal pregnancy and not be consumed with fear; so we opted out of high risk doctors. At 11 weeks along, I started spotting at work so they wanted to see me immediately. On the ultrasound they noticed a cystic hygroma on his neck. They informed us this is usually associated with a birth defect and we needed to see maternal fetal. At 13 weeks along we knew it was something with the baby's heart but didn't know the severity of it. At 17 weeks they sat us down and told us that our son had a condition called situs inversus with levocardia plus congenital heart defects. What the heck does that mean? Our thoughts exactly! It was explained to us that if Ethan were opened up, his body looks like a mirrored image of how we see ourselves in the mirror. Everything is reversed or mid-line. On top of that, he didn't have one heart defect....he had five. After we had a second to take this in, we asked what the chances were he had to survive. The doctor told us he didn't think he would have a quality of life and suggested termination. But he would refer us to a pediatric cardiologist if we wanted to meet with them. In the mean time, we were "given" three weeks to decide if we wanted to terminate the pregnancy or not. Termination wasn't an option in my opinion. We had just lost a son the year before. If this baby had any chance, we were giving it to him! And so our journey with our sweet Ethan began. The name Ethan means strong, and it seemed fitting. We were monitored closely the entire pregnancy. We were given lists of things our son won't do, may never do and how different he would be from other kids. The fear was overwhelming, but we were his parents, we were giving him a chance! So on January 20, 2014 our little warrior entered the world. He came out breathing on his own and not needing any help like they anticipated. We were even able to hold him for a few minutes before he was whisked away to CHKD's ICU. At three days old, he had his first open heart surgery. He defied all odds and recovered like a champ. He was sent home at 11 days old. We were originally told he would be there for six weeks. Ethan had another heart surgery, a cardiac catheterization at 2 months old. Another catheterization at 5 months old. A second open heart surgery on July 20 at 6 months old. Ethan is now 3 and doing well. Life is not easy and it never will be with his condition. The fact that he is alive and doing so well is nothing short of a miracle, a lot of love and prayer. Ethan had his final cardiac catheterization on April 10th and his final open heart surgery is scheduled for April 25th. Ethan's journey is difficult; it is emotionally, mentally, physically and beyond financially exhausting. Thank you to all who have taken the time to support us, pray for us and offer a helping hand. Thank you for loving us and encouraging us through the most difficult times in our lives. Congenital heart disease is mean and cruel. We need awareness, and a cure. In the mean time, pray for those who have been affected, are currently affected and will be affected in the future. Thank you again for supporting our family through this fundraiser.
Love- The Sparrows
The day we found out we were expecting again was a day filled with emotion. The idea of adding another child to our family was so exciting. Yet the fear of losing another child was almost too much to bear. At our first OB appointment we were given the option to go high risk since our son Aiden had been still born with multiple defects. We decided to try and treat this like a normal pregnancy and not be consumed with fear; so we opted out of high risk doctors. At 11 weeks along, I started spotting at work so they wanted to see me immediately. On the ultrasound they noticed a cystic hygroma on his neck. They informed us this is usually associated with a birth defect and we needed to see maternal fetal. At 13 weeks along we knew it was something with the baby's heart but didn't know the severity of it. At 17 weeks they sat us down and told us that our son had a condition called situs inversus with levocardia plus congenital heart defects. What the heck does that mean? Our thoughts exactly! It was explained to us that if Ethan were opened up, his body looks like a mirrored image of how we see ourselves in the mirror. Everything is reversed or mid-line. On top of that, he didn't have one heart defect....he had five. After we had a second to take this in, we asked what the chances were he had to survive. The doctor told us he didn't think he would have a quality of life and suggested termination. But he would refer us to a pediatric cardiologist if we wanted to meet with them. In the mean time, we were "given" three weeks to decide if we wanted to terminate the pregnancy or not. Termination wasn't an option in my opinion. We had just lost a son the year before. If this baby had any chance, we were giving it to him! And so our journey with our sweet Ethan began. The name Ethan means strong, and it seemed fitting. We were monitored closely the entire pregnancy. We were given lists of things our son won't do, may never do and how different he would be from other kids. The fear was overwhelming, but we were his parents, we were giving him a chance! So on January 20, 2014 our little warrior entered the world. He came out breathing on his own and not needing any help like they anticipated. We were even able to hold him for a few minutes before he was whisked away to CHKD's ICU. At three days old, he had his first open heart surgery. He defied all odds and recovered like a champ. He was sent home at 11 days old. We were originally told he would be there for six weeks. Ethan had another heart surgery, a cardiac catheterization at 2 months old. Another catheterization at 5 months old. A second open heart surgery on July 20 at 6 months old. Ethan is now 3 and doing well. Life is not easy and it never will be with his condition. The fact that he is alive and doing so well is nothing short of a miracle, a lot of love and prayer. Ethan had his final cardiac catheterization on April 10th and his final open heart surgery is scheduled for April 25th. Ethan's journey is difficult; it is emotionally, mentally, physically and beyond financially exhausting. Thank you to all who have taken the time to support us, pray for us and offer a helping hand. Thank you for loving us and encouraging us through the most difficult times in our lives. Congenital heart disease is mean and cruel. We need awareness, and a cure. In the mean time, pray for those who have been affected, are currently affected and will be affected in the future. Thank you again for supporting our family through this fundraiser.
Love- The Sparrows
Organizer and beneficiary
Kate Elizabeth Blount
Organizer
Chesapeake, VA
Kendal Sparrow
Beneficiary