11.22.24

UPDATE: Zion (overnight)

Zion had a good night. He got a "bath" and that didn't make him happy at all. But once that was done he was given his first milk bottle. He had about 2oz. He really hates his chest tube being drained but they give him morphine right after. Overall he slept as well as someone who had heart surgery. He would cry in his sleep but the nurses tend to him very quickly. He haven't woke up and interacted with us yet but he hears us. He still pretty sedated. He had his XRAY at 6am and it was clear..no fluid in his lungs and chest tube exactly where it should be. He should be having a ECHO this morning. I will update during the day.

Zion was born 09/01/2023. Even though he was premature, he was and still is the perfect rainbow baby. He is very spoiled by his siblings, foster siblings, friends, and family to say the least. At Zion’s 3 month check-up, his pediatrician was concerned about his heart and put in referral to Cardiology. Zion was diagnosed with pulmonary valve stenosis but they said it was a mild case and nothing to worry about. We were unable to follow up at 12 months as our 12 year old was hospitalized for a week with Covid. We rescheduled Zion's appointment for October 22nd. On that day an echo was repeated and his cardiologist stated his condition had now become severe and he needed a referral to UVA. UVA discussed Zion's case and decided he would need to have a Valvuloplasty procedure done. Doctors were confident that this would help Zion. After 4 long hours in the waiting room, the surgeon came out and told us that Zion would need open heart surgery and valve replacement ASAP. The Valvuloplasty surgery was unsuccessful.

We leave 11/19 for UVA and surgery will take place on 11/20. We are humbly asking for help to keep us afloat. Not being able to work means no income to meet our needs while at UVA, pay bills, and see that our other children have what they need. Including Zion, we have 6 kids under the age of 14. If you can’t help financially, please consider helping with meals for the kids and / or prayer. We know God will see us through.