Love for Liam
Donation protected
This is the story of Liam and his Mommy, Kimberly. I'll start at the very beginning, because it tells of the amazing strength and the faith that Kim has:
Not far into her pregnancy, Kimberly's baby was diagnosed with multiple heart defects. She was sent to CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia) where the babies' condition was determined worse than her OBGYN told her. Her baby was diagnosed with Heterotaxy (the organs are switched - on the opposite side of the body); Dextracardia (the heart points to the right); Double outlet right ventricle (pulmonary artery and aorta come out of the right ventricle instead of just pulmonary from the right and aorta from the left) ; and Total anamolous Pulmonary vein return (pulmonary veins don't return to the heart - they return to a vein coming back from the head.)
At 22 weeks into her pregnancy, doctors told Kim that her baby had a 50% chance of survival, and was given the option to terminate the pregnancy.
"I couldn't," Kim said. "I had felt him move - I'd named him. I saw his face in the ultrasounds. I knew my Liam was a gift from God."
She was scheduled to have Liam via C-section on February 13, her pre-op appointment showed that she was losing amniotic fluid and action needed to be taken immediately. Doctors prepared Kim for what was to come, depending on his condition at birth: Liam would either go to the operating room, cardiac catheterization lab or he wouldn't be able to be helped. Kim was told Liam would not cry when he was born. At 4:35pm on February 10th, Liam came screaming and crying into this world. After evaluation by all cardiac physicians it was determined that he only needed a cautionary breathing tube and could go to the Cardiac ICU.
On Valentine's Day, at just 4 days old, Liam had a total anamolous pulmonary vein return repair. He had a very night that night and Liam had to have his chest re-poened - and it stayed open for 10 days.
On February 23rd, Liam had a cardiac catheterization and Doctors determined he was getting too much blood to his lungs, and noth enough to his body. The next day he had a pulmonary artery banding to reduce the flow to his lung and increase the flow to his body. That's when they closed his chest. Liam did well for a few days and then rapid heart rates began.
On March 7, Liam went into cardiac arrest and required CPR. After a while he was off the breathing tube, but went into cardiac arrest again on March 31st - again requiring CPR.
Once the breathing tube was taken out again, Liam did very well. He progressed so much that he was completely taken off oxygen and his last IV was getting ready to be taken out . . . but on April 30, Liam coded, due to rapid heart rates. A pacemaker was placed via open chest surgery.
Kim, her family, friends and strangers that heard of their story had faith and prayed . . . and Liam's breathing tube was just taken out!
Doctors now want to see Liam grow and gain enough weight by 6 months of age to get his next surgery. Liam will need to be 12lbs. for the surgery. Right now, he's 7.3lbs.
Kimberly has returned home (2 hours from CHOP) once since Liam was born - but immediately returned - as it was the night he coded. A hotel room across the street or chair next to Liam has been her home since February and the hospital cafeteria has been the only source of breakfast, lunch and dinner. Months of these expenses (and months more to come) - have taken a toll - a financially and mentally taxing stress on anyone.
Any donation for Liam and Kim would be greatly appreciated and help with medical expenses, amenities and food for Kim as she continues to stay by her baby boys' side. Prayers are so appreciated, as well. Pray for continued health for Liam. Pray for continued strength and faith for Kimberly. And pray for Liam's growth so that he can have his next surgery.
Not far into her pregnancy, Kimberly's baby was diagnosed with multiple heart defects. She was sent to CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia) where the babies' condition was determined worse than her OBGYN told her. Her baby was diagnosed with Heterotaxy (the organs are switched - on the opposite side of the body); Dextracardia (the heart points to the right); Double outlet right ventricle (pulmonary artery and aorta come out of the right ventricle instead of just pulmonary from the right and aorta from the left) ; and Total anamolous Pulmonary vein return (pulmonary veins don't return to the heart - they return to a vein coming back from the head.)
At 22 weeks into her pregnancy, doctors told Kim that her baby had a 50% chance of survival, and was given the option to terminate the pregnancy.
"I couldn't," Kim said. "I had felt him move - I'd named him. I saw his face in the ultrasounds. I knew my Liam was a gift from God."
She was scheduled to have Liam via C-section on February 13, her pre-op appointment showed that she was losing amniotic fluid and action needed to be taken immediately. Doctors prepared Kim for what was to come, depending on his condition at birth: Liam would either go to the operating room, cardiac catheterization lab or he wouldn't be able to be helped. Kim was told Liam would not cry when he was born. At 4:35pm on February 10th, Liam came screaming and crying into this world. After evaluation by all cardiac physicians it was determined that he only needed a cautionary breathing tube and could go to the Cardiac ICU.
On Valentine's Day, at just 4 days old, Liam had a total anamolous pulmonary vein return repair. He had a very night that night and Liam had to have his chest re-poened - and it stayed open for 10 days.
On February 23rd, Liam had a cardiac catheterization and Doctors determined he was getting too much blood to his lungs, and noth enough to his body. The next day he had a pulmonary artery banding to reduce the flow to his lung and increase the flow to his body. That's when they closed his chest. Liam did well for a few days and then rapid heart rates began.
On March 7, Liam went into cardiac arrest and required CPR. After a while he was off the breathing tube, but went into cardiac arrest again on March 31st - again requiring CPR.
Once the breathing tube was taken out again, Liam did very well. He progressed so much that he was completely taken off oxygen and his last IV was getting ready to be taken out . . . but on April 30, Liam coded, due to rapid heart rates. A pacemaker was placed via open chest surgery.
Kim, her family, friends and strangers that heard of their story had faith and prayed . . . and Liam's breathing tube was just taken out!
Doctors now want to see Liam grow and gain enough weight by 6 months of age to get his next surgery. Liam will need to be 12lbs. for the surgery. Right now, he's 7.3lbs.
Kimberly has returned home (2 hours from CHOP) once since Liam was born - but immediately returned - as it was the night he coded. A hotel room across the street or chair next to Liam has been her home since February and the hospital cafeteria has been the only source of breakfast, lunch and dinner. Months of these expenses (and months more to come) - have taken a toll - a financially and mentally taxing stress on anyone.
Any donation for Liam and Kim would be greatly appreciated and help with medical expenses, amenities and food for Kim as she continues to stay by her baby boys' side. Prayers are so appreciated, as well. Pray for continued health for Liam. Pray for continued strength and faith for Kimberly. And pray for Liam's growth so that he can have his next surgery.
Organizer and beneficiary
Rachel Ruhl
Organizer
Manheim, PA
Kimberly Martin
Beneficiary