For Vinny Ray Smith
Donation protected
On Oct 11, my friend Danielle took her 11 month old son Vinny, to the ER after he had been running a fever for 12 days straight. The doctors ran tons of tests and found a mass growing in his heart that was preventing his blood from flowing properly! Sweet Vinny was immediately transferred to St. Louis Childrens hospital where he under went many more tests. Yesterday he was sedated for a necessary MRI, which was extremely risky and took 2 hours to complete, so that the doctors could get a good look his heart, brain (for lesions) and abdominal area, which was being checked because he would scream out in pain every time he would eat or drink anything and they didn’t know why.
The tumor or mass they found in his heart is a build up of extra tissue that is very large and is pushing on the pulmonary valve making it hard to pass blood through the lungs and will continue to grow if it is not taken care of.
The good news is Vinny does not have any lesions on his brain!! Praise God! The doctors diagnosed Vinny with Rhabdomyomas and Tuberous sclerosis. They have started an oral medication they are hopeful will shrink this mass on his heart!
❤️ However, doctors are going back and forth, a few of the cardiologist think it would be better to just go in and remove the mass from his heart now because his blood pressures show his right side of heart having struggles opposed to waiting the next few weeks to see if the oral medication will work and have to have surgery anyways. The other cardiologist feel we should not do a surgery if not needed. We will know more information later this week.
Vinny and his parents will be in the hospital for at least another 4 weeks where the docs can monitor Vinny’s heart and keep a close eye on him during this fragile time.
The Tuberous sclerosis can create pockets of inflammation/edema in areas of the body that can cause some pain and discomfort. He got it in his abdomen as well which is what was causing him pain after he ate! Hopefully the medication will help clear this up as well!
I am praying that anyone that reads this finds it in their heart to donate ANYTHING they are able to! This family never asks for help but is ALWAYS there to give ii, as I know from experience and I know many others know this as well as they seriously always offer as much help that is needed when they know someone is in need. They are amazing people with huge hearts.
❤️ The funds will help with the family with any expenses needed. Vinny’s father is on disability and his mother is unemployed and had currently been applying and had a possible job lined up right before Vinny started running a fever. With him in the hospital and having 3 other children and a grandchild at home, employment is just not possible until Vinny is home and healthy and they have been struggling financially prior to this and will only increase their struggles.
The funds will also help with gas expenses to and from the hospital as well as food for them to eat while there and for any hospital bills for Vinny etc.
I will continue to update this page as information becomes available!!
Thank you all soooooo much for your love and support for our friend!
They can also be PayPal’d to me by [email redacted]
The tumor or mass they found in his heart is a build up of extra tissue that is very large and is pushing on the pulmonary valve making it hard to pass blood through the lungs and will continue to grow if it is not taken care of.
The good news is Vinny does not have any lesions on his brain!! Praise God! The doctors diagnosed Vinny with Rhabdomyomas and Tuberous sclerosis. They have started an oral medication they are hopeful will shrink this mass on his heart!
❤️ However, doctors are going back and forth, a few of the cardiologist think it would be better to just go in and remove the mass from his heart now because his blood pressures show his right side of heart having struggles opposed to waiting the next few weeks to see if the oral medication will work and have to have surgery anyways. The other cardiologist feel we should not do a surgery if not needed. We will know more information later this week.
Vinny and his parents will be in the hospital for at least another 4 weeks where the docs can monitor Vinny’s heart and keep a close eye on him during this fragile time.
The Tuberous sclerosis can create pockets of inflammation/edema in areas of the body that can cause some pain and discomfort. He got it in his abdomen as well which is what was causing him pain after he ate! Hopefully the medication will help clear this up as well!
I am praying that anyone that reads this finds it in their heart to donate ANYTHING they are able to! This family never asks for help but is ALWAYS there to give ii, as I know from experience and I know many others know this as well as they seriously always offer as much help that is needed when they know someone is in need. They are amazing people with huge hearts.
❤️ The funds will help with the family with any expenses needed. Vinny’s father is on disability and his mother is unemployed and had currently been applying and had a possible job lined up right before Vinny started running a fever. With him in the hospital and having 3 other children and a grandchild at home, employment is just not possible until Vinny is home and healthy and they have been struggling financially prior to this and will only increase their struggles.
The funds will also help with gas expenses to and from the hospital as well as food for them to eat while there and for any hospital bills for Vinny etc.
I will continue to update this page as information becomes available!!
Thank you all soooooo much for your love and support for our friend!
They can also be PayPal’d to me by [email redacted]
Co-organizers (2)
Elizabeth Fay
Organizer
Missouri, MO
John Smith
Beneficiary
Danielle Smith
Co-organizer