On Tuesday April 6th, I (Terra’s mother, Rachel) took Terra to the pediatrician because she was being fussy when she ate. The pediatrician gave her meds for reflux to try but while there she noticed a heart murmur. She referred us to the cardiologist and our appointment was Monday April 12th.

They did an EKG. Then they said to be safe let’s do an echocardiogram. As soon as the doctor came in I knew something was wrong. They said he would be a while reviewing the tests. He came in within 5 minutes. His phone kept ringing. The hospital phone and he said, “I have to examine her first but you will understand why I have to keep taking the calls”. While he was listening to her heart, he took a call and said “I’m with the baby now, but I’m sending them to the hospital”.

Then he let me hold my baby and sat me down to tell me her heart was failing and she needed emergency open heart surgery that same night.

Thankfully, my husband Travis was able to rush to the hospital from his work before she was sent into surgery and we were able to spend some time alone with her to pray.

Terra was born with Congenital Aortic Coarctation and Bicuspid Aortic Stenosis, a fancy way of saying there is an hourglass narrowing of her aorta that needs to be opened to relieve the pressure. In addition, her upper valve next to the aorta is faulty. Instead of being three leaflets, it is two fused together and is also making it difficult for her heart to pump.

These two issues are what were causing her to have trouble eating. Her kidneys and liver were being strained and she was retaining water in her chest and lungs.

The aortic Coarctation  they can fix. The Bicuspid valve they cannot. The surgeon gently separated it to help it flow better, but she will need the valve replaced when she is older and she will be on heart medication.

Currently, the estimated co-insurance costs for the procedure alone (not including the two weeks she will be in the hospital or any of the treatments she receives during that time) is around $17,000. The bill as it combines with anesthesia, echograms daily, x-rays daily, and the 24 hour 1:1 nurse care she receives is going to be extremely high when all is said and done.

While we’re appreciative that our insurance covered such a vast amount, this combined with the additional hospital bills from the birth that we are finally just now getting (she was delivered in February), me being on maternity leave still and not knowing what will happen with my job since Terra is going to require a couple more months of special care will most likely drain all of our savings and investments.

We’re very fortunate that we have a lot of financial stability going into this situation. We’ve saved a lot of money over the last 5 years as my husband and I both work and were able to do very well for ourselves. However, like I mentioned, it’s looking like 100% of all our total savings, checking and investment accounts will likely be drained to 0 after this. And that’s not including all of the long term care she’s going to likely need (heart medications, follow ups, and definite future surgery that can come at ANY time).

We’re not looking for a handout. My husband is going back to work in the next week or two, and I don’t know when I’ll be able to go back, but I plan on it and just hope that my work keeps my job available to me after Terra is well enough to not need so much intensive care at home. But this is just the most terrifying thing we’ve ever dealt with. Not only from the health and life aspect of our daughter, but also from the financial ramifications that scare us for the future. Anything you can give will be greatly appreciated.

Above all, we will trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. We know that this situation is one in which He is in control of and is within His will. Regardless of what happens with Terra, or with us, God is good and we praise and glorify Him in the highest. Thank you all.