Life Saving Medical Treatment
Donation protected
I’d like you to meet Justice. She is a 20 year old daughter, sister, granddaughter, cousin & friend. Justice was born a 25 ½ week preemie, at 1 lb 11 oz., 13 ½ inches, along with her twin sister Kayla. They both struggled in the ICU at Primary Children’s for several months. Our hearts broke when Kayla passed away at 4 ½ months old, surrounded by all who loved her.
At about the same time, Justice was diagnosed with Bilateral Peripheral Pulmonary Artery Stenosis, which causes hypertension of the hearts right ventricle. It causes narrowing of the vessels in her lungs and makes her heart work much harder to get the oxygen and blood through. When this was discovered the doctors had never seen it before and consulted with others around the world. It was then that they told us she would not live past 6 months. To the doctors surprise, Justice kept on fighting. She has had ongoing oversight from the doctors over the years. Several years ago they felt the time had come to attempt to balloon some of her vessels, in hopes of giving her heart relief. That surgery didn’t go as planned, and we almost lost her. She was put into an induced coma and we didn’t know if we would see her again. Justice is a fighter or stubborn (and we are so glad she is) and came through. Even though this caused her to miss a lot of school, she went on to graduate with her class.
Earlier this year, Justice started having extreme fatigue and dizzy spells. The doctors felt it was time to attempt some more ballooning. Although this was extremely frightening, we were left with no alternative. After the surgery we received devastating news, the doctor told us he had ballooned all that he could and there was no more he could do.
Justices heart is very tired. She is on oxygen full time and they have put her on some medication that will keep her comfortable and hopefully provide her heart some relief. There are only a few medical options left, one being a heart & lung transplant, the survival rate for having both is approximately 2 years, and according to the doctors, they will not be quality years. Justice feels this is taking away from others who could have a longer chance at life (how incredibly unselfish). At this time, her choice is not to proceed with this transplant. We recently have learned of Stem Cell Therapy research. They will inject stem cells into her lungs in hopes that it grows new vessels, this in turn will take the stress off of her heart. Unfortunately, this is a very expensive procedure and she will have to travel out of state, possibly out of country. Both we and her doctors are talking with the facilities/ doctors who perform this type of therapy in order to find the best possible outcome. All donations will be used towards this life saving treatment.
We are SO grateful for everyone who has already made a donation. We understand that this is asking a lot and maybe even from strangers, but we would like to encourage you to share this with everyone you know in hopes our sweet Justice can have a chance at growing old with us.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!!
At about the same time, Justice was diagnosed with Bilateral Peripheral Pulmonary Artery Stenosis, which causes hypertension of the hearts right ventricle. It causes narrowing of the vessels in her lungs and makes her heart work much harder to get the oxygen and blood through. When this was discovered the doctors had never seen it before and consulted with others around the world. It was then that they told us she would not live past 6 months. To the doctors surprise, Justice kept on fighting. She has had ongoing oversight from the doctors over the years. Several years ago they felt the time had come to attempt to balloon some of her vessels, in hopes of giving her heart relief. That surgery didn’t go as planned, and we almost lost her. She was put into an induced coma and we didn’t know if we would see her again. Justice is a fighter or stubborn (and we are so glad she is) and came through. Even though this caused her to miss a lot of school, she went on to graduate with her class.
Earlier this year, Justice started having extreme fatigue and dizzy spells. The doctors felt it was time to attempt some more ballooning. Although this was extremely frightening, we were left with no alternative. After the surgery we received devastating news, the doctor told us he had ballooned all that he could and there was no more he could do.
Justices heart is very tired. She is on oxygen full time and they have put her on some medication that will keep her comfortable and hopefully provide her heart some relief. There are only a few medical options left, one being a heart & lung transplant, the survival rate for having both is approximately 2 years, and according to the doctors, they will not be quality years. Justice feels this is taking away from others who could have a longer chance at life (how incredibly unselfish). At this time, her choice is not to proceed with this transplant. We recently have learned of Stem Cell Therapy research. They will inject stem cells into her lungs in hopes that it grows new vessels, this in turn will take the stress off of her heart. Unfortunately, this is a very expensive procedure and she will have to travel out of state, possibly out of country. Both we and her doctors are talking with the facilities/ doctors who perform this type of therapy in order to find the best possible outcome. All donations will be used towards this life saving treatment.
We are SO grateful for everyone who has already made a donation. We understand that this is asking a lot and maybe even from strangers, but we would like to encourage you to share this with everyone you know in hopes our sweet Justice can have a chance at growing old with us.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!!
Organizer
Kristi Loveland-Butler
Organizer
Lehi, UT