With permission from Brenda Brandl and her daughter Kayla, we wanted to share their personal story with you. Our hope would be that we are able to surround the entire family with love, prayers and support as they begin this difficult journey. Any support would be welcome in anyway that you feel is appropriate. Prayers, thoughts, cards or a donation to assist with Baby Wyatt's upcoming medical expenses and the families transportation and lodging expenses would be appreciated.

Kayla (Brandl) and Pete Smith are expecting their 2nd child, Wyatt who will join 3 yr old Kaidyn. In May, Kayla and Pete were informed that their baby would be born with a congenital heart defect, Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome (HRHS). This is a defect in which the right-sided structures of the heart are underdeveloped or not formed. When this occurs, the right side of the heart cannot send enough blood to the lungs and this causes the baby to have abnormally low oxygen levels. Baby Wyatt will need to have surgery within the first few days after he is born and then will have subsequent surgeries when he is 4-6 months old and then again when he is about 3. Kayla and Pete have a fabulous team of neonatologist, pediatric cardiologist, nurses and social workers that are assisting them in their journey.

Wyatt’s due date is September 6 but due to the diagnosis Kayla will be induced on August 30th. Kayla and Pete will have to stay in Madison, over an hour from their home, starting the week prior to induction to ensure delivery at the hospital in Madison otherwise they risk her having to deliver at the local hospital and Wyatt needing to be transported via Med Flight to the Children’s Hospital in Madison.

There will be lengthy hospital stays and many trips back and forth to the UW Children’s Hospital in Madison, WI, where Wyatt will be in the Pediatric ICU for at least the first 30 days after he is born and then again after his second surgery.

Our family appreciates all thoughts and prayers for our little heart warrior Wyatt, his Mom & Dad and his big brother Kaidyn!