Hello, I'm glad you're here. Our family could use a little help!

My name is Jaimee and I am Emery's Mom.

Many of you know thay Emery was born with a congenital heart defect called aortic stenosis. This means her aortic heart valve is more narrowed than what is healthy, and it continues to worsen. She also has a bicuspid aortic valve rather than a normal valve with three leaflets, regurgitation which means, blood leaks in and out of her aortic valve, and she also has an abdominal aortic aneurism.

These things cause Emery's heart to work extra hard, further worsening her stenosis.

The condition of her heart has crossed into what is considered severe, though she stayed moderate much longer than we originally anticipated, it is now time for her to have open heart surgery.

Emery will have the Ross Procedure just before Thanksgiving at Providence Sacred Heart Children's Hospital in Spokane.

She has two amazing surgeons who are going to take very good care of her in the operating room.

The Ross Procedure is a complex open heart surgery which involves removing the defective aortic valve and replacing it with Emery's own pulmonary valve. Her pulmonary valve will then be replaced by a donor valve.

While we anticipated this surgery to happen much sooner, we are very grateful that she made it this long without needing it!

However, the time has come and it is necessary to proceed in order to give Emery a second chance at life!

What an incredible gift to receive!

We will plan for Emery to be in hospital for 7 days, though it could be less or more, it really just depends. Upon discharge, she will have sternal precautions for 6 to 8 weeks. This means she will not be able to lift much of anything, no pushing, pulling or arms above her head while her sternum heals. In time, her bone will fuse to the titanium wires holding her sternum together.

She will also have cardiac rehab following this while she continues to heal.

Emery's immediate medical expenses will be covered for the most part. However, our family will not have an income during the time I need to be away from work to help her during recovery. With her surgery taking place around the Holidays I will also be a bit financially strained simply due to the season.

For the first four weeks of Emery's recovery journey, I do need to be home with her full time.

I recently settled into a new job and I do not yet have enough sick time or PTO saved to cover the medical leave.

The funds raised will go towards the following:

Lodging expenses and food for the duration of the hospital stay.

Comfort aides to promote rest and ease pain such as a good medical cardiac recovery wedge pillow and a used or rented electric recliner (if not covered by insurance).

Lost wages for 4-5 weeks to help cover general bills and normal expenses (rent, insurance, groceries, etc.)

Any remaining funds left over will be used towards Emery's immediate follow up visits in Spokane. This may include gas, wages, etc.

Thank you all for your prayers, words of encouragement and various forms of support. You have no idea how much it means to our family.

"Kick start my heart before Mötley Crüe has to" - Emery