Grace Armani Swearinger - 
Born 05/19/2020 at 5:02pm. 


Ayrele and Michael found out about Grace’s diagnosis during utero when mom was right around 20 weeks while doing their genetic testing and ultrasound. They were told she would need open heart surgery at birth and several times after throughout her life. 


The whirlwind of emotions started and they wondered how life would look with their second daughter being a special needs baby with Congenital Heart Disease and navigating that life.  


Grace was admitted to the CICU (Cardiac Intensive Care Unit) when she was born and stayed in the ICU for forty days as a newborn. Michael and Ayrele were told that Grace had a large VSD, with Pulmonary Atresia, and Tetralogy of Fallot along with Mapcas (Major aortopulmonary collateral arteries). 


She was being monitored and evaluated to determine if she was stable enough to go home without surgery to grow more and become stronger. 
The doctors later determined she was stable and able to go home. 


Grace met her big sister Genesis for the first time when she was released from the hospital and since then they have had a remarkable bond and Genesis prays every night for her little sister and her heart and healing. 


Grace was eventually listed in late November to have her Open heart Surgery in December 2020. As they prepared and gained so many cuddles with her at home before the big day they received two phone calls that surgery would be pushed back until December 11th 2020. 


They arrived at the hospital on December 10th to get into a ICU room and preparation for surgery the next day. Grace made it through a 13 hour surgery on December 11th with Dr.Gulerserian completing a unifocalization of mapcas, with repairing her Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia. 


Grace has been in the CICU for now 50 days while trying to overcome many airway and breathing difficulties (she was hooked up to the Ventilator and had one unsuccessful attempt at removing the breathing tube while resulted in CPR) and along with some feeding challenges and having two catheterization laboratory procedures to help open her pulmonary valve that had some thinning and needed opening to allow good blood flow. 


After this procedure they thought Grace would be able to go home but after having more breathing issues the doctors and nurses had to place the breathing tube back in. 


Grace’s parents have been by her side daily while she’s been on this tough journey. Michael still works daily and travels from work in Frisco to see Grace every evening and relieve mom from the hospital in Dallas. Dad will go home for a few hours to get a little bit of rest before heading to work the next morning. 


Ayrele is there everyday after dropping of their oldest daughter to school and relying on family and friends to help pick her up and get her home to take care of her for the evening before Ayrele returns back home. Ayrele works from home and has had the pleasure of having a supportive boss and co workers who help her with her work load so that she can focus on Grace’s recovery day in and out. She works late nights when she can sometimes until after midnight while getting little to no sleep. 


They have experienced some hardships during this journey but have remained positive and truly trusting in the Lord and his plans over Grace’s life. 


Ayrele was traveling home from the hospital on her oldest daughters birthday on 01/23 when a driver pulled out in front of her and they then collided! Ayrele’s car has been totaled in which was a paid off vehicle. 

Michael and Ayrele fully believe that the Lord will work everything out in his perfect timing and they have not wanted to feel like they are a burden to anyone but they are beyond grateful for every great gift that comes from the Lord. 

Ayrele and Michael will use the funds to continue to provide great support and insurance to Grace during this journey.