I honestly can’t believe our little boy is turning one in a few weeks, and we’re still on this health journey with him.

As many of you know and have been praying for our family, Huxley has had medical challenges basically since the day he was born. When he was just five days old, he actually stopped breathing in our lounge room, and I had to bring him back. That moment still feels like a miracle to me.

The last 11 months have been full of hospital admissions, specialist appointments, tests and procedures, all trying to work out what’s going on. Being first-time parents is hard enough, but having a baby with a “complex” medical history and no real answers for so long has been one of the hardest things we’ve ever walked through.

In December, Hux had another surgery, and they now believe he has Hirschsprung’s disease, as well as congenital issues with his diaphragm. There could be small holes in his diaphragm (Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia), which is a rare and serious birth defect. This is all very new and overwhelming for us, but it could explain so much of what he’s been dealing with.

There are a few surgeries ahead for him. More biopsies, removing dead bowel tissue, and then a big reconstructive surgery to create new pathways in his body. He’ll also need a separate surgery for his diaphragm. Before we can even move forward, we’ve been hit with a $6,000 medical bill just for the next round of biopsies—and that’s only the beginning.

We’ve been so blessed that most of his care has been covered until now. Dan is working six days a week, long hours, and I lost my job last Thursday due to restructuring, so we’re suddenly facing all of this on one income, with rising living costs and big medical bills ahead.

Over the last few days, this verse has been on repeat in my heart:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God…”

Hux has some okay days and some really tough days. His belly is always swollen and uncomfortable, and sleep is such a struggle for him (and for us). We’re exhausted, but we are holding onto our faith. We believe God is good, and we believe He has a plan for Huxley’s life. I truly believe his story will be used for God’s glory.

We feel really uncomfortable even sharing this and setting up a GoFundMe, especially knowing how tough things are for everyone right now. But we felt God nudging us to ask for a little help. If you feel led to support us, we are so grateful. If not, your prayers mean just as much to us.

Thank you for continuing to lift our sweet boy up in prayer. I speak these words over his life every single day:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

So much love,

Mandy, Dan & Hux