Henry is a sweet, snuggly baby who loves being held and having his loved ones nearby. We couldn't have asked for a better baby. Please, if you can't donate, at least share this fundraiser with a friend.

The full story:

Henry was born at 35 weeks after mom developed pre-eclampsia. He stayed in the NICU for about 2 weeks, until he no longer needed tube feeding and O2. He was born with a double aortic arch, meaning his aorta split into two and reconnected behind his esophagus and trachea. This put strain on his air and food tubes, causing him to have difficulty eating and giving him wheezing breaths. Mom and dad stayed with him in the hospital so he could be breast fed.

After getting him home,  a week later, he was brought to the ER because of bloody stools. Doctors were worried it might be NEC, a nasty condition that eats away at the intestinal lining. He was made to stop eating for 3 days and was put on fluids and antibiotics. Henry was miserable and cried himself hoarse. After many tests and x-rays, it was determined that NEC was not the problem, and likely he had a milk protein allergy. Letting him eat again was such a relief. He needed to be switched to a special formula. After 5 days in the hospital,  he was able to come home again. 

On the 30th of December, Henry went in for cardiac surgery. The surgeon severed the extra aortic arch to free his trachea and esophagus and installed a drainage tube in his chest. They told us the tube was very painful, and needed to be in over night. When Henry came to, he was obviously in a lot of pain. It hurt to breathe, let alone cry, and he held his breath until he turned purple. The staff was able to give him some medication to ease the pain, but he was very uncomfortable until they took out the tube. Thankfully we got to bring him home for new years.  

He has been on medication since the surgery,  but his pain levels are much better now. He seems much more comfortable to finally be home,  and mom and dad are relieved to be sleeping in their own bed again.