Smitten With A Little Heart Warrior

Thanks so much for stopping by. This gofundme was created to help our friends, Cassie and Koda McElhaney in their time of need. Cassie is a co-founder of the local babywearing chapter and an active member of the local breastfeeding and natural parenting community. The family was recently blessed with a beautiful CHD (Congenital Heart Defect) Warrior. This little warrior has Double Outlet Right Ventricle with a subaortic ventricular septal defect, Pulmonary Atresia, a right aortic arch, bilateral mild cerebral ventriculomegaly, and cross-fused renal ectopia. His repair was done on 6/24. He had a right ventricle to pulmonary artery (RV to PA) conduit placed along with a closure of the VSD that repaired his DORV. He is left with a residual VSD post op that should close over time hopefully, and another small hole in the apex (bottom). His RV to PA conduit will need to be replaced as it does not grow with him, so he will need another open heart surgery anywhere from ages 18m-3y but it just depends on how it holds up when he'll need it. And then again when he's a teenager, though when he's a teenager they may put in a mechanical valve. He's on aspirin for life, and possibly other cardiac drugs just depending on how he does and what he needs. His biggest challenges for the here and now are eating and growing, and preventing right sided heart failure.

This family is facing not only significant medical expenses, but the inability to return to work as quickly as they would have desired. Since the birth of the little warrior, both parents needed to stay home for an extended time in order to care for their sweet older boy and keep their little family together through all of the miles of doctors' visits and hospital stays. Dad has returned to work, but Mom is still home with both boys for now. Our hope is that the funds from this campaign will allow her to stay home a little longer without worrying about finances.

Smitten with Wovens has created a very special carrier in honor of their little warrior and named it Vena Cava Warrior. They will be giving away 2 wraps and 2 ring slings. In order to enter please make a minimum of a $5 donation to this sweet and loving family, who mean the world to the Kaufman County babywearing and natural parenting community. On August 31 all of the entries will be compiled and then random.org will select 4 winners. The winners will be notified by Smitten with Wovens. Please make sure your contact information is correct when making your donation.