Wes and Will: Heart Warriors

My name is Lindsey, and I’m asking for donations for my cousin’s twin boys with heart defects. My cousin and his wife would never ask for help, and don’t know I’m setting this up, but I know it would take a huge burden off their shoulders.

On October 27, 2022, their twin boys, William and Wesley Patterson, were delivered at 32 weeks via emergency C-section. Shortly after they were born, doctors discovered that both brothers had serious congenital heart defects called Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF), which affects the ability of the heart and lungs to adequately oxygenate the body. They spent several weeks in the NICU at Niswonger Children’s Hospital, and were later transferred to the NICU at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital to meet with a cardiac surgery team.

They stayed at Vanderbilt for another month, during which William had two heart caths and a stent placed, to allow better blood flow from his heart to his lungs. After getting stronger and more stable, they were both discharged back home to Greeneville just before Christmas. The goal was to keep gaining weight until they’re big enough for open heart surgery.

Since then, they have had an average of 4-5 appointments per week with many different doctors and specialists in Greeneville, Johnson City, and Nashville, multiple hospitalizations, and several ER visits. They’ve battled RSV, Pneumonia, and required NG tubes for feedings (and had to have it replaced over a dozen times).

Over the last few weeks, Wesley has been struggling with severe reflux, and hasn’t been able to gain enough weight. They are planning to surgically place a more permanent feeding tube (G-tube) in his stomach soon, as well as performing his first heart cath. Until then, he is requiring hourly feedings through his NG tube, day and night.

Then recently, William had an episode called a “tet spell,” causing his oxygen to suddenly drop. He was rushed to the ER on 2/22/23, and was transferred to Vanderbilt that night. He had his third heart cath the following day, with another stent to improve his oxygen levels. He has had some major complications afterwards, and has not been able to come off the ventilator, and stay off, yet.

The surgeon requires their weights to be around 15 pounds before they can have their open heart surgeries. Currently, Wesley is almost 7 pounds, and William is almost 10 pounds. It’s hard to predict, but due to the complexity of their conditions, plus the upcoming surgeries, they will likely be in Nashville for several months, and traveling back and forth to east TN to take care of things at home.

Currently, the greatest financial need is for travel expenses and living accommodations, in addition to medical expenses. People often recommend the Ronald McDonald House, but Ronald McDonald (and similar housing) doesn’t provide room for additional family to stay to assist during times when only one baby is in the hospital. We want them to be able to stay near the hospital for as long as they need to, without worrying about expenses, so they can focus on the boys.

We greatly appreciate any contribution you can make, and above all, we covet your prayers for this sweet family.