Roman’s Journey to a Healthy Heart ❤️

On Wednesday January 27th our world was turned upside down. I am starting this fundraiser to help my son Richie and his wife Lariat through this difficult time of so many unknowns as they begin the recovery process with their beautiful son Roman Parker.  On May 4, 2020 Lariat gave birth to Roman on her own as Richie’s deployment was extended time and time again due to covid. Over the last 9 months, Roman has had a few ups and downs. As we expressed concerns of his breathing and bluing in his hands and feet to the doctors office and an ER visit we were dismissed and told things such as he’s still learning to breathe outside the womb and he has a “benign” heart murmur as most babies do and he will out grow it. Fast forward to January 13th Roman went in to have a minor outpatient procedure to correct a condition he was born with known as Chordee, as the anesthesiologist examined him, he was quick to say we cannot sedate the baby due to a significant heart murmur and needs and echocardiogram. Since he was at the children’s hospital they tried to send him right then and there for the test only to be denied by TriCare and told we needed a referral and then sent them home to wait. We called daily waiting on a referral, then on the morning of Wednesday January 27th, 15 days later, Roman woke up with blue lips, it was time for answers. Richie and Lariat took Roman to the local ER, they did X-rays and said his lungs were clear, Lariat was not backing down this time and she advocated for Roman. Because of that, Roman and Lariat were transported by ambulance to Valley’s Children’s Hospital were Roman finally got his EKG and echocardiogram that was so desperately needed. The results blew our minds, Roman in fact had a condition known as Tetralogy of Fallot, a birth defect that he was born with that was missed time and time again even after us expressing concern that something was wrong. What did this mean? Roman wasn’t going back home he was going into open heart surgery. Well on Friday January 29th Roman underwent his open heart surgery and after 11 agonizing hours of waiting, we received the best outcome possible. All repairs were made successfully and Romans heart was beating on its own! We have no idea what the next few days, weeks, months and years are going to bring. Today, they will take him off the ventilator and we will begin the recovery process. With them being in California, they have no family support, they live 1.5 hours each way from Childrens Hospital and only one parent can stay at a time due to covid restrictions. My goal is to raise enough money to help with lodging (to keep them close to hospital) gas, travel, food, medical, bills, whatever unknowns arise. If your able to give fantastic, if not we understand and will take prayers. Thanking everyone in advance for whatever help you can provide.