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Norah's Heart of Gold.

This is little Miss Norah, she’s our niece. Norah is completely adored by her three older sisters (Tayah, Tessah, and Savannah), and without a doubt, a walking piece of her Mommy and Daddy's hearts.  She's a gentle hearted-cuddler with the biggest smile and the cutest, giggly laugh that just melts you.

Norah is just 3. At this sweet, innocent age- she is preparing to have open heart surgery. This is scary and a difficult surgery for even adults, but she's having to face it at such a tender age, not yet even capable of understanding what is happening to her body.

Norah's heart first gave indication of congenital heart defects when she was just 20 weeks of gestational age. During her routine anatomy scan, a perinatologist at Waukesha Memorial detected an extra vein that should not be present (Persistent Left Sided Superior Vena Cava). While this is abnormal, reassurance was given that this extra vein wasn't life threatening, but her mom and dad were instructed to seek follow up care for an echocardiogram with Herma Heart Center at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin (C.H.O.W), both during pregnancy and after, as PLSVCs can be indication of additional defects.

The initial visit with Herma Heart Center was in the third trimester and besides the PLSVC being reconfirmed, no other defects were detected. Extremely relieved, Brynn and Tony took note that Norah needed a post-birth follow-up by the time she was two, and took their new blessing home. Two years flew by (as they always do raising little ones), and before they knew it, their soon to be two year old needed her post-birth echocardiogram at C.H.O.W Herma Heart Center. Within the first 20 minutes of the ECHO, it was obvious that something was concerning the Tech. Brynn waited patiently for the next hour through the rest of the scan, and then again after it was over for the Cardiologist to come consult with her. Quickly the discussion became serious about new defects found, and how open heart surgery was a very real possibility for Norah within the next couple years. With Norah being just 2 years old at that time, there was still a very small possibility some of her defects could correct on their own.

On April 20th this year, Norah underwent a 3hr MRI. The MRI validated what her ECHOS had previously led her doctors to suspect, the solid proof that her right side is working twice as hard as it should. Blood flow from her lungs is going into the wrong side, which is causing the enlargements. She also has a hole in her heart that needs to be sewn shut due to its size and the risks it poses. Norah's Cardiac MRI results unfortunately came back confirming the heart defects of Sinus Venosus Defect, Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return, and Atrial Septal Defect.

She is scheduled for open heart surgery July 10th to repair her multiple heart defects at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. The surgery is expected to last approximately 8 hours and Norah will be in the Intensive Care Unit for a week following her surgery.

First, we ask for your prayers for Norah and her family. Understandably, there is fear. Brynn and Tony have placed their trust in the Lord and pray all the time. Their faith is strong. We ask that if it so moves your heart, to please take a moment to donate towards the monumental medical bills they face (even a few dollars helps), a moment to share this GoFundMe with your family and friends (shares really do help), and a moment to rally and support Norah.

We thank you for your prayers, blessings, and support in helping in the repair of little Miss Norah's Heart of Gold.

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Donations 

  • Tammy Shafer
    • $36 
    • 6 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Jason Poole
Organizer
Fruita, CO
Brynn Raasch
Beneficiary

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