Help the Witzel's on their way to a New Heart
Donation protected
Henry was diagnosed in-utero with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). HLHS is a syndrome where one side of the heart is severely underdeveloped and is commonly referred to as having “Half a heart.”
Hailey & Barret spent from 20 weeks into pregnancy on, not knowing exactly how Henry’s life was going to look. During this time Hailey was let go from her job because of COVID layoffs. Thankfully, Barret’s company has been extremely understanding and supportive. The plan was that Henry would have 3 open heart surgeries, 2 of which would happen within the first 6 months of life and follow the path of a traditional HLHS kid. Henry’s journey has taken a different path.
Henry was born on 11/19/2020 and had his initial Norwood procedure. Henry, Hailey and Barret spent the next 27 days in the hospital and eventually they were able to go home. The next step in the process was when things took a turn for the worse. Henry was admitted for heart failure on New Years Eve and had surgery to repair this shortly thereafter. Henry was able to recover enough to go home and spend time with family, with the understanding that this was a severe insult to his heart.
On April 11, Henry was acting a bit funny (crying, not eating etc.) and was brought to the emergency room to be evaluated. Unfortunately, the arch needed another operation. Henry spent 16 hours in the operating room to re-repair his arch. Henry was placed on ECMO (life support). He is currently still on life support and is in the process of being transferred to a new hospital to be placed on the heart transplant list. Henry’s medical team and family are currently evaluating which hospital throughout the country will be the best for him to wait for his new heart.
In turn, this means that Hailey & Barret will have to relocate to wherever the team decides is the best outcome for Henry (anywhere in the United States.) As this is unplanned and they have been told it could be up to a year or more wherever they move, it brings on a lot of expenses in addition to what they have here in Minnesota. As Hailey, Barret and Henry prepare to leave town this week, any contribution is greatly appreciated.
For more information on their story, please visit their caring bridge: caringbridge.org/visit/henrywitzelsheart
Hailey & Barret spent from 20 weeks into pregnancy on, not knowing exactly how Henry’s life was going to look. During this time Hailey was let go from her job because of COVID layoffs. Thankfully, Barret’s company has been extremely understanding and supportive. The plan was that Henry would have 3 open heart surgeries, 2 of which would happen within the first 6 months of life and follow the path of a traditional HLHS kid. Henry’s journey has taken a different path.
Henry was born on 11/19/2020 and had his initial Norwood procedure. Henry, Hailey and Barret spent the next 27 days in the hospital and eventually they were able to go home. The next step in the process was when things took a turn for the worse. Henry was admitted for heart failure on New Years Eve and had surgery to repair this shortly thereafter. Henry was able to recover enough to go home and spend time with family, with the understanding that this was a severe insult to his heart.
On April 11, Henry was acting a bit funny (crying, not eating etc.) and was brought to the emergency room to be evaluated. Unfortunately, the arch needed another operation. Henry spent 16 hours in the operating room to re-repair his arch. Henry was placed on ECMO (life support). He is currently still on life support and is in the process of being transferred to a new hospital to be placed on the heart transplant list. Henry’s medical team and family are currently evaluating which hospital throughout the country will be the best for him to wait for his new heart.
In turn, this means that Hailey & Barret will have to relocate to wherever the team decides is the best outcome for Henry (anywhere in the United States.) As this is unplanned and they have been told it could be up to a year or more wherever they move, it brings on a lot of expenses in addition to what they have here in Minnesota. As Hailey, Barret and Henry prepare to leave town this week, any contribution is greatly appreciated.
For more information on their story, please visit their caring bridge: caringbridge.org/visit/henrywitzelsheart
Organizer and beneficiary
Carmen Colombo
Organizer
Stillwater, MN
Hailey Witzel
Beneficiary