Our Brave Baby Boy Jalen!
Donation protected
Meet Jalen Jones. He was born October 4, 2017 to Paul and Heather (Ramos) Jones. Overjoyed at his arrival, he was welcomed into our Ramos- Jones family of five with an enormous amount of love. His sisters Jzonei and Jazmyne and brother Jose were excited to have a new baby brother in the family. But suddenly our happiness was overshadowed by concern. Shortly after his birth, we were informed that our beautiful baby boy was diagnosed with a Ventricular Septal Defect otherwise known as VSD. VSD is an opening in the tissue between the hearts lower chambers. VSD is one of the congenital heart diseases referred to as “a hole in the heart”. The cause for this is unknown and it is a very common heart defect. However, when the VSD is large, the heart may have to pump harder to deliver enough oxygen to the body. This was the case for Jalen.
Because Jalen’s VSD was large, we were told at birth that he would have to have surgery to repair it. We knew once he was born, he would have to undergo several tests and medical procedures to prepare him for this huge life event. Our miraculous infant kept getting stronger despite experiencing symptoms of VSD which made it difficult for him to feed normally. He stayed in the hospital for several weeks because he was not getting enough oxygen while eating. Doctors then told us that he would have to have a G tube inserted in his stomach before he could leave the hospital. The G tube would ensure that Jalen was getting enough food to make him stronger. The single most important thing he needed was to get stronger and healthier to prepare him for surgery. He received his G tube a few weeks after birth and was finally able to go home.
After a few months of preparation, Jalen had his open-heart surgery on January 26, 2018 to close (patch) the hole in his precious little heart. It has been a tough journey for our tiny but mighty baby Jalen. But, he has shown an enormous amount of strength and courage in the brief time we have been Blessed to have him with us as part of our family. Within 48 hours of his surgery, he demonstrated such a remarkable recovery that even doctors were shocked! This does not surprise us, though. He has shown strength and a strong spirit since he was born. We are so proud of how far he has come in such a short time. And always with that beautiful smile on his face. He is truly and inspiration to our family!
Please consider making a donation in honor of our most valiant family member, Jalen. All of the medical costs have placed such a burden on our family. It would help out tremendously; no matter what the amount. Every little bit helps and would be so appreciated. Thank you for reading our story.
Paul and Heather Jones & Family
Because Jalen’s VSD was large, we were told at birth that he would have to have surgery to repair it. We knew once he was born, he would have to undergo several tests and medical procedures to prepare him for this huge life event. Our miraculous infant kept getting stronger despite experiencing symptoms of VSD which made it difficult for him to feed normally. He stayed in the hospital for several weeks because he was not getting enough oxygen while eating. Doctors then told us that he would have to have a G tube inserted in his stomach before he could leave the hospital. The G tube would ensure that Jalen was getting enough food to make him stronger. The single most important thing he needed was to get stronger and healthier to prepare him for surgery. He received his G tube a few weeks after birth and was finally able to go home.
After a few months of preparation, Jalen had his open-heart surgery on January 26, 2018 to close (patch) the hole in his precious little heart. It has been a tough journey for our tiny but mighty baby Jalen. But, he has shown an enormous amount of strength and courage in the brief time we have been Blessed to have him with us as part of our family. Within 48 hours of his surgery, he demonstrated such a remarkable recovery that even doctors were shocked! This does not surprise us, though. He has shown strength and a strong spirit since he was born. We are so proud of how far he has come in such a short time. And always with that beautiful smile on his face. He is truly and inspiration to our family!
Please consider making a donation in honor of our most valiant family member, Jalen. All of the medical costs have placed such a burden on our family. It would help out tremendously; no matter what the amount. Every little bit helps and would be so appreciated. Thank you for reading our story.
Paul and Heather Jones & Family
Organizer
Heather Ramos
Organizer
Ankeny, IA
