Healing Hailey's Heart
Donation protected
On June 5, 2019, Hailey Ann Fancy came into the world, just a peanut of a thing weighing in at a whopping 6 lbs. 4 oz. Hailey was discharged without complications to her parents, Sarah and Zach. At Hailey's first medical visit a heart murmur was detected and she was referred to Dartmouth-Hitchcock to meet with a cardiologist. After an extensive exam and an echo-cardiogram, it was determined that Hailey has what is known as Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) and Atrial Septal Defect (ASD).
ASD in simple terms is a hole in the septum between the heart's two upper chambers. VSD is a hole in the septum between the heart's two lower chambers. Hailey has a total of 5 holes in her heart.
Holes in the heart are congenital heart defects and are simple for the most part. Congenital heart defects are problems with the heart's structure that are present at birth. These defects change the normal flow of blood through the heart.
Let's break it down a bit further.....Your heart has two sides, separated by an inner wall called the septum. With each heartbeat, the right side of your heart receives oxygen-poor blood from your body and pumps it to your lungs. The left side of your heart receives oxygen-rich blood from your lungs and pumps it to your body.
The septum prevents mixing of blood between the two sides of the heart. However, some babies are born with holes in the upper or lower septum.
ASDs and VSDs allow blood to pass from the left side of the heart to the right side. This means that oxygen-rich blood can mix with oxygen-poor blood. As a result, some oxygen-rich blood is pumped to the lungs instead of out to the body.
Over the past few decades, the diagnosis and treatment of ASDs and VSDs have greatly improved. Children who have simple congenital heart defects can survive to adulthood and live normal, active, and productive lives because their heart defects close on their own or have been repaired.
After visits to with the cardiologist it was determined the holes in Hailey's heart would need to be surgically repaired around 6 months of age to ensure she is strong enough to withstand the procedure. Due to the ASD and VSD, Hailey has struggled to gain weight despite added calories to her formula; Hailey gets too tired too quickly and can't finish a bottle.
On August 12, 2019, the day before her mom, Sarah, was expected to return to work, Hailey stopped eating, began vomiting and was displaying erratic breathing; Hailey was brought to Eloit Hospital in Manchester where her heart rate was upwards of 190 bpm. Hailey was sent via ambulance to Boston's Children's Hospital that evening. She has remained in their Cardiac ICU since. Hailey has been given a feeding tube to ensure her body is getting the nutrition it needs, however she has lost weight since her admission.
On August 13, 2019, an additional echo-cardiogram was completed and open heart surgery is scheduled for Friday, August 16, 2019 at Boston Children's. The surgery while it is more routine for Boston Children's Hospital, it is nerve racking for the family. The recovery period will vary depending on how Hailey responds. We were informed her breathing tubes could be removed 24-48 hours after surgery. Sarah and Zach can expect to see their little girl at Children's for minimum of 14 days after surgery.
I am wholeheartedly asking for support for my sister and brother-in-law as Sarah and Zach are not able to work at this time, are staying away from home and are about to experience one of the most difficult days in a parent's life. The medical bills are sure to be incredible not to mention the expense of traveling to Boston or staying as close to Hailey as possible.
A child's smile
Is heart warming...
A child's heart
Is forever...
ASD in simple terms is a hole in the septum between the heart's two upper chambers. VSD is a hole in the septum between the heart's two lower chambers. Hailey has a total of 5 holes in her heart.
Holes in the heart are congenital heart defects and are simple for the most part. Congenital heart defects are problems with the heart's structure that are present at birth. These defects change the normal flow of blood through the heart.
Let's break it down a bit further.....Your heart has two sides, separated by an inner wall called the septum. With each heartbeat, the right side of your heart receives oxygen-poor blood from your body and pumps it to your lungs. The left side of your heart receives oxygen-rich blood from your lungs and pumps it to your body.
The septum prevents mixing of blood between the two sides of the heart. However, some babies are born with holes in the upper or lower septum.
ASDs and VSDs allow blood to pass from the left side of the heart to the right side. This means that oxygen-rich blood can mix with oxygen-poor blood. As a result, some oxygen-rich blood is pumped to the lungs instead of out to the body.
Over the past few decades, the diagnosis and treatment of ASDs and VSDs have greatly improved. Children who have simple congenital heart defects can survive to adulthood and live normal, active, and productive lives because their heart defects close on their own or have been repaired.
After visits to with the cardiologist it was determined the holes in Hailey's heart would need to be surgically repaired around 6 months of age to ensure she is strong enough to withstand the procedure. Due to the ASD and VSD, Hailey has struggled to gain weight despite added calories to her formula; Hailey gets too tired too quickly and can't finish a bottle.
On August 12, 2019, the day before her mom, Sarah, was expected to return to work, Hailey stopped eating, began vomiting and was displaying erratic breathing; Hailey was brought to Eloit Hospital in Manchester where her heart rate was upwards of 190 bpm. Hailey was sent via ambulance to Boston's Children's Hospital that evening. She has remained in their Cardiac ICU since. Hailey has been given a feeding tube to ensure her body is getting the nutrition it needs, however she has lost weight since her admission.
On August 13, 2019, an additional echo-cardiogram was completed and open heart surgery is scheduled for Friday, August 16, 2019 at Boston Children's. The surgery while it is more routine for Boston Children's Hospital, it is nerve racking for the family. The recovery period will vary depending on how Hailey responds. We were informed her breathing tubes could be removed 24-48 hours after surgery. Sarah and Zach can expect to see their little girl at Children's for minimum of 14 days after surgery.
I am wholeheartedly asking for support for my sister and brother-in-law as Sarah and Zach are not able to work at this time, are staying away from home and are about to experience one of the most difficult days in a parent's life. The medical bills are sure to be incredible not to mention the expense of traveling to Boston or staying as close to Hailey as possible.
A child's smile
Is heart warming...
A child's heart
Is forever...
Organizer and beneficiary
Lisa Van
Organizer
Beverly, MA
Zachary Fancy
Beneficiary
Inspired to help? Start a fundraiser for someone you know
