We wanted to give everyone interested an opportunity to learn about Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) before Jack was born. It was a very scary diagnosis to hear but we are very hopeful that God will heal!
At the 20 week ultrasound the technician picked up on a serious heart defect and sent us to a pediatric cardiologist that same day. He confirmed that our little baby did have HLHS and proceeded to explain what that meant. HLHS occurs when the left side of the heart does not develop completely, leaving the left ventricle (the chamber which pumps oxygenated blood to the body) obsolete. His aorta is tiny and there are no valves on that side of the heart. Before the late 1980's this disorder was universally fatal. Babies would survive for a few days but doctors had no method of treating them. Praise the Lord that something can be done now!!
Through a series of open heart surgeries Jack has a good chance at a normal life with few restrictions. The first surgery is typically at 3-5 days old, followed by a 5 month surgery and one around 2-3 years old. The surgeries reconstruct the heart in many ways so that blood is pumped to his whole body from the right ventricle. We are thankful that his right ventricle is very strong and that no other complications have been found!! The surgeon at Albany Med, Dr Devejian, is amazing. His success rate brings people from all over the Northeast and we feel very blessed to have him be the one operating on Jack.
Once Jack is born (due 12/8 but might be induced early) we will be updating this blog regularly so everyone can be aware of what is going on.
There are lots of great resources that explain HLHS and each surgery in more detail than I have here. I've listed some below in case anyone is interested.
Please pray for healing. Whether he is healed miraculously before birth or through medicine we want to see God glorified through all of this! Pray that God's peace would reign over Jack's time in the hospital.
Sincerely,
Josh & Rebekah
3 "Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;
you are the one Israel praises.[c]
4 In you our ancestors put their trust;
they trusted and you delivered them.
5 To you they cried out and were saved;
in you they trusted and were not put to shame."
you are the one Israel praises.[c]
4 In you our ancestors put their trust;
they trusted and you delivered them.
5 To you they cried out and were saved;
in you they trusted and were not put to shame."
Psalm 22
Rebekah and Josh-
ReplyDeleteWe've been thinking about you guys and can't wait to hear about Jack's arrival! What a fabulous gift for the holidays! As fellow HLHS parents, please feel free to keep in touch with any questions/concerns you may have. Or if Jack has any questions for Aedan. :-) Good luck - he's going to do awesome!
Jen Conway
Well, as much as I want to pray for this baby, I also really want to pray for you, Jack's parents, and your little girls, too. Sorry I missed the laying-on-of-hands the other week!
ReplyDeleteHey Josh and Rebekah,
ReplyDeleteYour west coast family is lifting your wholw family up in prayers. Thank you for informing us on what HLHS is. Now we know more specifically how to pray for you. Love you~Kristina McCay
Praying that you and Jack would sense the closeness of Christ every step of the way.
ReplyDelete