Avery

Her name is Avery, born on June 6, 2013 with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. She has been in and out of the hospital and has undergone 3 different surgeries. Her first surgery called the Norwood, was performed when she was just 10 days old. The second at 6 months old. And she had an emergency surgical procedure just after Christmas of 2017.
She's a happy little girl when she is not in pain. But just like how rare snow in the Albertan Summer is, those days are very few and far between. She's one brave, courageous soul who puts up a fight for this wonderful thing called life. She does not complain on the countless encounters with needles, even when it takes a couple pricks to find a vein and let the medication in.

She is the youngest of 5. Her Dad lost his job in November 2017 and when Avery had to go back to the hospital the following month, finding a full time job was quite a challenge as he has to look after her 4 older siblings. And yes, she has never left the hospital in the last 4 months, as she was found to have protein losing enteropathy, a complication that is very challenging to treat. Doctors have found that children with PLE usually just have another 2-5 years, if symptoms are managed poorly.

Her Mom has to undergo fibroids surgery but has been postponing it as Avery requires a lot of travels to Edmonton, where her highly specialized procedures for treatment are being done.

Couple days ago, Avery became very sick and was transported to the Stollery Children’s Hospital. A clot was seen in her heart, where her fenestration is. Avery’s symptoms of heart failure have been very persistent that the doctors wanted her to have a heart transplant work up as soon as possible while exploring the possibilities of sending her to Philadelphia for her very complex medical condition. The trip to the US is still being thought of, as logistics and finances are a problem. The travels to Edmonton in the last 4 months had already been financially draining.

It is for this reason that I knock at your most benevolent heart. Any amount you would willingly share with our dear Avery, will be most appreciated.

Thank you and God bless you, dear cheerful giver!