Send love to help heal Luca's heart

Hi Everyone,

Godmother here hoping to make some fairy godmother magic happen for Luca. In an effort to keep the family's energy on Luca and Amanda, rather than any possible stress about the financial reality of the situation, I am writing this on behalf of Landon and Amanda, Luca's mommy and daddy.

*In an effort to allow Landon and Amanda to focus on Luca - if you would like to reach out, please send your message to me (Paige) or Holly, and we will make sure they get your message.*

Let me start by saying thank you to the family and friends who have reached out in support so far - Luca is currently in critical-but-stable condition, as I write this, but he is still in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit being very closely monitored.

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How to support from afar:

*Monetary Donations can be made directly via payment apps like Venmo (please coordinate with me (Paige) if you need information on this) or be made here on GoFundMe.

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The Short Story:

Baby Luca was born late Wednesday night and was found to have a congenital heart defect called Dextro-transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA or D-TGA). He has undergone one procedure so far and is building up some strength before he can undergo the more permanent surgical solution hopefully next week. He is anticipated to be in the hospital a minimum of one month post-procedure.

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*Scroll down for the longer story and details*

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The Long Story:

Luca was delivered via C-section (Cesarean) on Wednesday night at 11:15pm after over 48 hours of labor and many attempts to induce - both Luca and his Mommy were so tired but so strong.

Upon delivery, the doctors noticed that Luca was not getting enough oxygen and whisked him away behind closed doors for 5 hours, leaving Landon and Amanda waiting to know the status of their son. The doctors determined that Luca has a heart defect called Transposition of the Great Arteries, and he would need to be transferred to another hospital.

On Thursday morning, Luca arrived to the children's hospital in critical condition with low oxygen stats and on a ventilator breathing for him. The team at the children's hospital got to work to get Luca set up and allowed for his daddy to get to see him for the first time up close and talk to him before doctors rushed Luca into his first procedure - an atrial septostomy.

This procedure is a temporary fix before his bigger surgery - It uses a small balloon to widen a natural connection between the heart's upper chambers. It helps mix oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood, improving oxygen levels in the baby's body.

Luca came through that procedure strong and his oxygen levels were much better than they were earlier in the morning. The family has been allowed to visit with Luca at the children's hospital and the care team has been amazing.

Writing this on Friday afternoon, Luca is stable, strong, and getting some rest. They will continue to monitor him here at the children's hospital. Amanda is still in the first hospital (where she delivered) recovering from her C-section. She has not yet had a chance to see Luca, but hopefully will be discharged tomorrow and have the opportunity to meet her baby boy.

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What is Transposition of the Great Arteries?

In a complete transposition of the great arteries, known as Dextro-transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA or D-TGA), the two arteries leaving the heart have switched positions. The pulmonary artery connects to the left lower heart chamber. The aorta connects to the right lower heart chamber.

The switched arteries cause changes in blood flow. Oxygen-poor blood now flows through the right side of the heart. It goes back to the body without passing through the lungs. Oxygen-rich blood now flows through the left side of the heart. It goes directly back into the lungs without being pumped to the rest of the body.

D-TGA is a serious, rare heart problem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about 1,153 babies are born with TGA each year in the United States. This means that every 1 in 3,413 babies born in the US is affected by this defect.

Pictured - Luca and his daddy (Landon)

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What are next steps for Luca?

Luca will continue to be monitored, gaining strength before he undergoes his second (more serious) operation, which is an open heart surgery called an arterial switch. During this surgery, the two main arteries leaving the heart are detached and moved to their correct positions. He is expected to be in the hospital at least one month after that surgery.

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How can you support?

Luca, Landon, and Amanda have a strong support system, and appreciate everyone who has reached out. Amanda's and Landon's family are both here and providing immediate support helping to do rotations for people to get rest or get something to eat.

How to support from afar:

*Monetary Donations can be made directly via payment apps like Venmo (please coordinate with me (Paige) if you need information on this) or be made here on GoFundMe.

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Thank you for all your thoughts and contributions!

I will continue to post updates on Luca and Amanda's conditions.

Lots of love,

Paige

April, 7, 2023