This past week was one of the hardest weeks Erica and I have ever encountered together.

It started when Vino was experiencing some abnormal breathing. So we took him to the great staff at VEG ER in Murfreesboro. We were told he had a rare blood protein deficiency causing fluid to build around his heart and lungs. He was then placed in an oxygen kennel, alone and scared—something he’s never experienced, being by himself. He was being placed there because they needed him to stay the night for observation.

We left the ER to get some rest only to get a call at 2am: he wasn’t breathing on his own anymore. We told them to do whatever they can to keep him breathing and we were on our way. We thought we were headed to say goodbye to our Baby Boy!

I drove numb. Erica was silent. We burst through the ER doors (I wasn’t even sure if I put my truck in park) and there he was—practically lifeless on a tiny table breathing through a tube. But then… the second we got to him, Erica kissed his head and he heard our voices. He immediately opened his eyes, started breathing again on his own, and the doctors were stunned. That moment changed everything! Vino wasn’t ready to go—and we weren’t ready to let him!

The specialists were "baffled" as they and other specialists that they consulted could not figure out why this was happening to Vino at such a young age (he turns 2 Dec 19th). At this point, the doctors explained that they didn’t have the tools to properly diagnose him. They said to continue it would take special diagnostic testing and seeing additional specialists. Erica looked at me very concerned after hearing this, I didn’t flinch by saying: “I don’t care! Do whatever it takes, at any cost! Vino is our baby boy, he’s not even two years old."

He was then transferred to NVS Nashville the next morning at 5am, still on oxygen. Once they took him, we didn’t know if we’d see him again. But the incredible team there found the issue. Vino was diagnosed with having Lymphangiectasia (which is a rare medical condition characterized by the dilation or malformation of lymphatic vessels leading to a buildup of lymph fluid—basically he was suffocating from fluid built up in his chest cavity). We aren’t fully out of the woods yet as he had a GI scope and biopsy performed in which we are still waiting on results.

He stayed a few more days to have more tests performed and to have an eye kept on him, and then—finally—we got the call: we could bring our baby boy home on Wednesday!

He’ll need lifelong care, but he’s here. He’s alive. And we are so deeply grateful!

To VEG Murfreesboro and NVS Nashville—thank you for caring for our Vino. To our friends and family—your prayers, love, and support carried us through. We are endlessly grateful for anyone willing to contribute towards Vino's unexpected medical expenses that allowed him to stay with us! We don’t have the $12,000+ in costs lying around, but we have our baby boy. And that’s what matters!

Thank you for being part of his second chance. When he’s done being grounded for scaring us half to death, he’ll be sending out paw-written thank-you notes himself to each and every one of you that helps donate towards his medical expenses through this rough and rare encounter.

His journey will continue as his diet has had to change and daily medication may be required for the rest of his life. We will keep everyone posted once we receive the results of the biopsy as well, hoping for the best!

With love and endless gratitude, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts,

Jason, Erica & Vino