AJ's First Big Open Heart Surgery
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"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3
He's a fighter. He's a survivor. He's a warrior. But most importantly, he's somebody's everything.
Meet Andrew Jeffery Uhlenhake, who we all call “AJ’. Isn’t he beautiful? You wouldn’t know it by looking at him today, but this little guy has been through more in the first 14 months of his life than many of us will have in a lifetime. I could see how those pink chubby cheeks, sparkling blue eyes, and big grin would make it hard to believe the challenges he’s faced since birth.
Andrew was born on December, 17, 2013 with a congenital heart defect known as Tetralogy of Fallot. This involves 4 anatomical abnormalities:
1- He has a large whole between the left and right lower chamber
2- His pulmonary valve is thick; thicker than it should be and his pulmonary artery is narrow
3-His aorta sits on top of the hole between the two chambers instead of just over the left chamber
4-The right wall of his heart will start to thicken as it has to work harder to pump blood through the thickened valve and narrow pulmonary artery
AJ spent the first 15 days of his life in the PICU, as he was born a few weeks early and it was already considered a high-risk birth with his heart defect. After finally getting to go home with his family, he returned to the PICU on Monday, January 26th, where he stayed until after his surgery.
On Friday, January 31st, 2014, at just 6 ½ weeks old, AJ underwent open heart surgery to place a BT shunt to help with his blood flow to his lungs. The surgery was successful and he is doing great. However, this was just the beginning of his lifetime journey.
Andrew is having his first BIG open heart surgery on March 31st, 2015. Just 6 short days away. Andrew also has an overriding coronary artery which will make his total repair difficult as the surgeon will have to place a conduit instead of fixing the pulmonary artery, which will result in multiple open heart surgeries as he grows. Can you imagine how this family feels?
Which, speaking of his family, let me tell you a little about them. I have been friends with AJ’s mother, Taunie Uhlenhake for over 16 years. She is one of the most loyal and giving friends you will ever meet. And I know I speak for many others when I say that she would do ANYTHING for her family and friends. In fact, we often refer to her as the “mother hen”. She’s the one that keeps everything together and makes things happen. That’s why I’m telling this story and asking for your love and support for her family during this journey. She is married to a great man, Toby Uhlenhake, who has been there with her throughout these difficult times. I want Taunie and Toby to be able to focus on the health of their little guy and to be able to enjoy the moments every parent deserves. I want them to enjoy their little girl, Katie, who is growing up so fast already and is such a great big sister. She's 7 and has had to grow up pretty quick given what she's had to deal with as well. They shouldn’t have to worry about the financial burden of medical bills and expenses to cover the everyday necessities of life during this time.
Please help ease some of the burden by giving to the family. Every little bit helps. Even if it's not monetary, simply leaving some kind words to the family will lift up their spirits and help them get through the difficult days and road ahead. AJ's a strong little guy and will continue to be a fighter! We love you AJ and family!
He's a fighter. He's a survivor. He's a warrior. But most importantly, he's somebody's everything.
Meet Andrew Jeffery Uhlenhake, who we all call “AJ’. Isn’t he beautiful? You wouldn’t know it by looking at him today, but this little guy has been through more in the first 14 months of his life than many of us will have in a lifetime. I could see how those pink chubby cheeks, sparkling blue eyes, and big grin would make it hard to believe the challenges he’s faced since birth.
Andrew was born on December, 17, 2013 with a congenital heart defect known as Tetralogy of Fallot. This involves 4 anatomical abnormalities:
1- He has a large whole between the left and right lower chamber
2- His pulmonary valve is thick; thicker than it should be and his pulmonary artery is narrow
3-His aorta sits on top of the hole between the two chambers instead of just over the left chamber
4-The right wall of his heart will start to thicken as it has to work harder to pump blood through the thickened valve and narrow pulmonary artery
AJ spent the first 15 days of his life in the PICU, as he was born a few weeks early and it was already considered a high-risk birth with his heart defect. After finally getting to go home with his family, he returned to the PICU on Monday, January 26th, where he stayed until after his surgery.
On Friday, January 31st, 2014, at just 6 ½ weeks old, AJ underwent open heart surgery to place a BT shunt to help with his blood flow to his lungs. The surgery was successful and he is doing great. However, this was just the beginning of his lifetime journey.
Andrew is having his first BIG open heart surgery on March 31st, 2015. Just 6 short days away. Andrew also has an overriding coronary artery which will make his total repair difficult as the surgeon will have to place a conduit instead of fixing the pulmonary artery, which will result in multiple open heart surgeries as he grows. Can you imagine how this family feels?
Which, speaking of his family, let me tell you a little about them. I have been friends with AJ’s mother, Taunie Uhlenhake for over 16 years. She is one of the most loyal and giving friends you will ever meet. And I know I speak for many others when I say that she would do ANYTHING for her family and friends. In fact, we often refer to her as the “mother hen”. She’s the one that keeps everything together and makes things happen. That’s why I’m telling this story and asking for your love and support for her family during this journey. She is married to a great man, Toby Uhlenhake, who has been there with her throughout these difficult times. I want Taunie and Toby to be able to focus on the health of their little guy and to be able to enjoy the moments every parent deserves. I want them to enjoy their little girl, Katie, who is growing up so fast already and is such a great big sister. She's 7 and has had to grow up pretty quick given what she's had to deal with as well. They shouldn’t have to worry about the financial burden of medical bills and expenses to cover the everyday necessities of life during this time.
Please help ease some of the burden by giving to the family. Every little bit helps. Even if it's not monetary, simply leaving some kind words to the family will lift up their spirits and help them get through the difficult days and road ahead. AJ's a strong little guy and will continue to be a fighter! We love you AJ and family!
Organizer and beneficiary
Nicole Hammond
Organizer
Norwalk, IA
Taunie Uhlenhake
Beneficiary