Hello everyone,

We're reaching out to our friends, family, and compassionate individuals in our community with a heavy heart and a humble request. Our precious five month old baby boy is now facing the difficult challenge of a second open heart surgery and we need your support. He’s been through so much and has fought so hard to simply breathe and to live. He is so strong and such a little warrior. On June 26, 2023 we were blessed with a miracle baby boy named Fernando Noah Reyes. Named after his papa and his abuelito. Our baby boy had his first open heart surgery when he was just one week old. This will be his third overall operation. He was born and was in the NICU and ICU at the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in San Francisco for two months. When he was discharged from the hospital he was placed on a home cardiac monitoring program. Where we meet weekly with his UCSF healthcare team to discuss his health and weight gain. To help him better prepare for his next big surgery. His surgery date is scheduled for Tuesday, January 2, 2024. Everyday we check and document his weight, oxygen saturations and his heartbeat at home. We are also in strong communication and meet often with his pediatrician and his cardiologist. We’re not ready to take him back but his heart has no other choice. We don’t know how long we will be there this time. We are praying for a miracle. So we can bring back home our happy and full of life baby boy.

We remember like it was yesterday going to our 5 month ultrasound appointment. Smiling at the screen with happy tears in our eyes as we watched our baby move beautifully. That appointment took longer than expected. The smiles on the nurses faces disappeared. They informed us that the doctor wanted to meet with us privately. We started to panic, something felt wrong. Hearing his serious tone and words broke our hearts. I cried and prayed every day for the doctors to be wrong. That there was nothing wrong with our baby boys heart. Hearing the doctors ask over and over if we wanted to have an abortion to not experience this journey was heartbreaking. There was no other option in our hearts. We fell in love the minute we heard his heartbeat. Every ultrasound was new, scary and unknown. Our ultrasounds were from 4-7 hours long and sometimes even two to three times a week. We even experienced some horrible scares during our ultrasounds. Where they thought he no longer had a strong heartbeat and weren’t seeing movements. But our baby boy was there, safely sleeping in mommy’s belly.

We were told from the beginning that we could only deliver at the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in San Francisco because only they could try to save his life. That they would fly us out there by helicopter if needed. The UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in San Francisco saved our baby boys life. They have been beyond wonderful, patient, caring and loving. The surgeons hands Dr. Reddy who we prayed for blessed and saved his heart. I remember when he met with us before his surgery. He was so confident telling us what he was going to do. With trembling hands, tears and fear in our eyes we shook our heads in agreement. I remember asking if we had to do this and being told yes because if not his heart will go into heart failure. Hearing the risks and complication when signing the consent form filled us with so much worry. That wonderful surgeon has saved many hearts and has made many dreams come true. Heartbreaking as it sounds not every baby has made it and that’s our biggest fear. I can’t even imagine that pain. But I do feel that fear in my gut everyday. I can’t explain what my son has experienced or has been through to simply breathe and to live. But it lives vividly in my mind. I don’t wish this upon anyone. It’s one of every parents worse nightmares. We’ve met many beautiful families at the children’s hospital. And have seen babies fighting battles that are beyond heartbreaking. These poor babies are so strong, so brave yet so small and fragile.

While baby Fernando lived in the hospital for two months. His papa stayed and lived at the hospital with him too. He slept at bedside and never left his side. I also stayed and lived in San Francisco near the hospital at family house with our daughter. His big sister’s name is Violet she is 4 years old. She loves him dearly. We were blessed with free housing that the hospital provided for us. Everyday I would wake up super early and catch an Uber to the hospital to be by his side. And i would leave very late and catch an Uber back to family house to be with Violet. Violet would visit her baby brother at the hospital when it was allowed. Or she would stay back at family house with her abuelita Carmen. Her abuelita stayed with us in San Francisco as well and helped us by taking wonderful care of Violet. And while I was with the baby at the hospital, papa would go spend time with Violet at family house. We would switch when the night came and would repeat it all over again the next day. Violet also struggled emotionally. Her smile was still there, but it wasn’t the same. She was overwhelmed, exhausted and confused. She just knew that brothers heart has a boo boo and that it needs to be fixed before we can take him home. She made many friends with other heart mamas and small children. Who were there for their sibling just like her or for their own health. After being there for two months the hospital walls can be depressing and feel nothing like home. Even though we felt broken and hopeless we would pray everyday for a miracle. We couldn’t have gotten through any of this with out God. And we definitely couldn’t have done it without our family’s love and support. They saw and lived the heartbreaking situation with us and never left our side. Their love and support uplifted our broken hearts. I will always be grateful and appreciate their love.

Our family got to know his whole health care team and ask all of the questions their concerning hearts desired. The baby had many connections and machines surrounding him. That were attached to his little body. We weren’t able to hold him or help him. But when a hands on opportunity came his tía Daisy and Nina Lupita were right there. They would feed him a couple of tiny breast milk drops from a q-tip. They were excited to get to know him and to simply be there for him. He’s actually very attached to them it’s like if he knew they were always there. His tía Ruby would play lullabies for him while holding his little hand. His Nino Chayo and tío Apolinar would visit him in his room and give him company. They would sit in his room for hours as he laid there resting trying to recover and pray over him.

I never thought that I’d be writing this. This whole journey has been overwhelming in many levels. A constant worried heart and mind, filled with fear and anxiety. Emotionally and physically drained. I knew this heartbreaking journey wasn’t going to be easy but I never imagined that it was going to be so heartbreaking. No matter the circumstances these broken yet thankful parents will always fight for their sons life. His battles are our battles. And we will always stand by his side while holding his little hand. And love every minute of his precious life.

We believe in the power of community, prayer and the kindness of others. We hope that you can join us on this journey to give our son the gift of a brighter future. We are determined to give baby Fernando the best possible chance at a healthy and happy life and that's why we've started this GoFundMe campaign. Please pray for him. Pray for his life and for his heart to stay strong. Pray for the surgeons hands. Pray for his doctors and nurses. And please pray for us. For God to give us strength and patience. As any parent can understand, the health and well-being of our child means the world to us. The emotional and financial burden of these surgeries are overwhelming. Your generous contributions will help cover the escalating medical expenses, travel costs to the hospital, meals and help cover living expenses to allow us to take the time off of work that is necessary. To be by our baby boys side during his surgery and recovery. We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts. For your support, pouring love and prayers during this difficult time. Please feel free to donate or to share our story with your loved ones. Any little bit will help and will make a significant difference in our family's life. And will be truly appreciated. Together, we can make a difference in Baby Fernando's life. Thank you!

With humble love and gratitude,

❤️ The Reyes Family

Cash App: $mamabirdreyes

Venmo: @Marleenreyes19