Michael Monzon Fund
Donation protected
This fund is for Michael Monzon, a 2 year old fighting for his life. Funds raised here will be used to relieve Michaels parents of this financial burden. Please read below for his full story:
Michael is 2 years young and was born with HLHS (Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome). This means that the left side of his heart is critically underdeveloped. Typically there are 3 stages of surgeries that children undergo with this heart defect to help their hearts function as normal as possible. Michael underwent his third and final surgery September 27th at Norton Children's Hospital in Louisville.
Within 24 hours of his recovery Michael struggled to breath without being intubated (breathing tube) and keep his oxygen saturations greater than 80%. The medical team decided after 3 different times of removing the tube and replacing it, they were going to take him to the Cath lab to explore the problem in hopes to fix it. They found some narrowing of the arteries not allowing proper oxygenation which ultimately sent him back to surgery for his unplanned 4th open heart surgery.
After Michaels 4th surgery the surgeons gave Michael's family the opposite news they were hoping for, they could not fix the problem and Michael was placed on ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation). ECMO is used with children who become extremely ill. This treatment allows a machine to pump blood through an artificial lung and back into the child. In this case, this system is keeping Michael alive. Michael has been on ECMO for 7 days. The idea was to help heal his lung infection, and let his heart rest. Since being placed on ECMO Michael has been to the Cath lab several times to have several stents placed to help with the narrowing of his arteries and a balloon placed to help with blood flow. They have tried two times to take him off of the ECMO and this last time his mother, Tara, was given the news that if he is not placed back on ECMO he will not make it through the night. These are words a mother should never have to hear, but this is their reality.
The doctors have explained to the family that they will take Michael back to surgery tomorrow (Oct 10th) to reverse his surgery back to the previous repair known as the Glenn Procedure, hoping this will be the answer. They also will explore other options, but surgery is imminent.
Michael's mom, Tara, hasn't left his side. She has taken time away from her two jobs, hair stylist and early childhood educator at a local Christian Church. Michael's dad, Roly, is still working to provide for the family and take care of Michael's big sisters. While traveling to visit his son after work hours and on the weekends.
I have asked Tara on multiple occassions what they needed or if there is anything we could do. Tara always answers just to pray. They are very humble and truly need prayers, but we also are realistic that prayers do not pay for the gas for Michael's dad and siblings to visit, put food on the table, and keep a roof over their head.
Prayers for Michael's recovery is definitely enough, and if you could keep praying, the Monzon family would be more than grateful. If there is any way that you could donate money for them to help their little boy fight for his life, they would be beyond humbled.
So, please help in any way you can with prayers or donation.
Love,
The Graysons - their next door neighbors
Michael is 2 years young and was born with HLHS (Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome). This means that the left side of his heart is critically underdeveloped. Typically there are 3 stages of surgeries that children undergo with this heart defect to help their hearts function as normal as possible. Michael underwent his third and final surgery September 27th at Norton Children's Hospital in Louisville.
Within 24 hours of his recovery Michael struggled to breath without being intubated (breathing tube) and keep his oxygen saturations greater than 80%. The medical team decided after 3 different times of removing the tube and replacing it, they were going to take him to the Cath lab to explore the problem in hopes to fix it. They found some narrowing of the arteries not allowing proper oxygenation which ultimately sent him back to surgery for his unplanned 4th open heart surgery.
After Michaels 4th surgery the surgeons gave Michael's family the opposite news they were hoping for, they could not fix the problem and Michael was placed on ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation). ECMO is used with children who become extremely ill. This treatment allows a machine to pump blood through an artificial lung and back into the child. In this case, this system is keeping Michael alive. Michael has been on ECMO for 7 days. The idea was to help heal his lung infection, and let his heart rest. Since being placed on ECMO Michael has been to the Cath lab several times to have several stents placed to help with the narrowing of his arteries and a balloon placed to help with blood flow. They have tried two times to take him off of the ECMO and this last time his mother, Tara, was given the news that if he is not placed back on ECMO he will not make it through the night. These are words a mother should never have to hear, but this is their reality.
The doctors have explained to the family that they will take Michael back to surgery tomorrow (Oct 10th) to reverse his surgery back to the previous repair known as the Glenn Procedure, hoping this will be the answer. They also will explore other options, but surgery is imminent.
Michael's mom, Tara, hasn't left his side. She has taken time away from her two jobs, hair stylist and early childhood educator at a local Christian Church. Michael's dad, Roly, is still working to provide for the family and take care of Michael's big sisters. While traveling to visit his son after work hours and on the weekends.
I have asked Tara on multiple occassions what they needed or if there is anything we could do. Tara always answers just to pray. They are very humble and truly need prayers, but we also are realistic that prayers do not pay for the gas for Michael's dad and siblings to visit, put food on the table, and keep a roof over their head.
Prayers for Michael's recovery is definitely enough, and if you could keep praying, the Monzon family would be more than grateful. If there is any way that you could donate money for them to help their little boy fight for his life, they would be beyond humbled.
So, please help in any way you can with prayers or donation.
Love,
The Graysons - their next door neighbors
Organizer and beneficiary
Cadie Grayson
Organizer
Lexington, KY
Tara Monzon
Beneficiary
