8/16/25

Update on Brayson ❤️

We wanted to share an update on Brayson’s journey.

Brayson (age 6) underwent anterior tracheopexy and aortapexy on 7/21, spending 4 nights in the ICU and 2 nights on the inpatient floor. While we hoped recovery would smooth out from there, it’s been a difficult few weeks.

On 7/27, Brayson was rushed to the ER for hypoxia and bradycardia. Then, on 8/10, he experienced chest pain and needed another ER visit, where tests were done (EKG, X-ray, bloodwork). He was discharged, but his NT-proBNP was elevated at 448, suggesting stress on his heart.

At a pediatrician recheck, his NT-proBNP had risen to 541, so he had an echocardiogram for further evaluation.

On 8/18, Brayson was sent to Boston Children’s Hospital emergency department for more testing due to concern for possible pericarditis (inflammation around the heart). He underwent extensive testing — blood work, EKG, echo, and a CT scan — which revealed a small pericardial effusion. Thankfully, he was stable enough to be discharged home, but we now have a cardiology follow-up scheduled on 8/20 at Boston Children’s.

We’re so grateful for the incredible care teams and for everyone who continues to keep Brayson in their thoughts and prayers. The road is still uncertain, and we are facing additional medical travel, specialist follow-ups, and ongoing monitoring.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love and support — we couldn’t do this without you. #BraysonStrong

Help Us Stay Afloat While Brayson Heals

Hi everyone,

Our hearts are heavy but hopeful as we prepare for a major moment in our son Brayson’s life. On July 21st, Brayson will undergo a complex surgery — an Anterior Tracheopexy and Aortapexy — to help open up his airway and allow him to breathe more easily.

Brayson is just 6 years old, and his journey has already been filled with more challenges than most children ever face. Watching your child struggle to take in a breath — something most of us take for granted — is an experience no parent is ever prepared for. There have been moments of fear, countless doctor visits, sleepless nights, and now, the emotional weight of an upcoming surgery. This is his second Airway surgery just 10 months after the first,

We are incredibly grateful for the skilled doctors and specialists who will be taking care of him. We trust the medical team completely, but this journey will require time — time to be in the hospital, time to recover, and time to care for Brayson around the clock.

During this period, we’ll have to take time off work, and unfortunately, that means losing income we rely on for our most basic needs — rent, bills, gas, food, and everything that keeps a household running. We’re doing everything we can to prepare, but we’re falling short. That’s why we’re turning to our community, our friends, our family, and kind-hearted strangers — for help.

We’re asking for $1,500 to get us through this recovery period — to give us the space to breathe financially so we can give Brayson all the care and attention he needs without the added weight of wondering how we’ll keep the lights on.

If you’ve ever had a sick child, or even just imagined being in our shoes, you know how important it is to be fully present. Your support — whether through a donation or simply by sharing Brayson’s story — helps us do that. It gives us room to focus on what truly matters: helping our son heal.

We know times are hard for everyone, and asking for help is never easy. But we believe in the power of community, and we’re holding on to hope — hope for a successful surgery, a smooth recovery, and brighter days ahead for Brayson.

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for walking with us during this incredibly vulnerable time. Your kindness means more than words can express.

With deep gratitude,

Melissa and Josh