Hi,

My name is Hailey. I’m a 22-year-old mother and nursing student. Recently, I have come across an unfortunate update regarding the condition of my heart. I was born with an ASD (atrial septal defect) which didn’t close as I aged; instead, it got bigger. I had a mini-stroke accompanied by a headache and chest pain a couple of days ago, which prompted me to go to the emergency room. An echocardiogram revealed the hole in my heart, which was just 2 mm when I was 14, has now grown to 8-10 mm. Surgery is required to fix the issue and prevent my death. Due to needing this surgery, I will be out of work for some time, probably a month or more, which sets me behind on everything I’ve been working towards, including going back to nursing school at the beginning of October. I am highly anxious about this surgery as anything can go wrong with it being a high-risk surgery. I just ask for thoughts and prayers, and those that can donate, I appreciate it wholeheartedly (no pun intended). Thank you!