Lindsey and Matt welcomed Bentley to the world on 6/26/19 at 7 lb 2 oz. At just a few days old he was put on a life-flight to Sunrise Children's Hospital in Las Vegas with a life threatening series of heart defects. Lindsey is currently staying by Bentley's side in the NICU as he awaits surgery while his father, Matt, travels back and forth to work during this stressful time. 

Bentley's heart defects include Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, Arch Interruption, Atrial Septal Defect, and Ventricular Septal Defect. In laymen's terms, there is a hole in his heart that he is receiving medication to prevent from closing until his first open heart surgery when they will be able to place a stent in, and then the other defects interfere with how his heart oxygenates his blood and circulates it to his lower half of his body. 

Bentley's doctors are currently estimating he is going to need at least 4 heart surgeries, spaced out with some time when he can go home and recover after each surgery. He will receive his first surgery, stay in the hospital for a few weeks to recover and then return home for a few months before coming back for his next.

Bentley's mom, Lindsey had been doing an amazing job pumping her little heart out to produce lots of wonderful breast milk for her little guy! He can't breastfeed due to all the stuff he is hooked up to, but they were able to bottle feed him (carefully!) up until a day or so ago.

He was scheduled for surgery once already but then it was cancelled when he came down with an intestinal infection called necrotizing enterocolitis. He is currently on antibiotics and taken off of food to hopefully get rid of the infection so that he can be rescheduled for his first surgery.

Bentley's mom, Lindsey  was referred to a worker through the hospital to hopefully help their little family get some resources and the worker basically said their budget was very limited, and offered to cover a single night stay in a hotel or a single flight, and inquired if they had family that could help them, or encouraged her to start a gofundme.

I'm sure you can imagine how many flights back and forth will be necessary for Bentley's care, not to mention so that his father can both continue to work and also try to be present during his surgeries and occasionally be able to visit him during this scary and lengthy time. This is all not to mention medical bills, copays, deductibles, prescription costs, food or lodging for mom and dad while they are away from home and just trying to be supportive of their little guy. 

I hope to raise $5000 for Lindsey, Matt, and Bentley. This will not even begin to make a dent in the incredible financial and emotional toll they are going to be dealing with while they help Bentley through his first battles in life, but hopefully it can help a little as they are trying to find their way. Thank you for reading and I will share daily updates on Bentley's progress as I get them!