Hope for Lucas
Donation protected
My good friends, Tia and Doug Walters, tried for over a year to conceive. They were elated to announce in January they were expecting a baby, due in late July. At 19 weeks, they were thrilled to find out they would be having a son. His name is Lucas.
At the original anatomy scan, Lucas was being stubborn and the tech couldn't get the proper pictures of his heart, so they were asked to come back. They returned the following month, and the tech still couldn't get good pictures, so they were sent to Seattle Childrens Hospital for another ultrasound. It was during this visit that their entire world was turned upside down.
The ultrasound showed that Lucas only has two heart chambers, instead of four. His congenital heart defect is so rare that it doesn't even have an official name. Every step of the way they are learning something new, but what they do know is that Lucas will require multiple open heart surgeries. The first one could be almost immediately after his birth, and the others shortly to follow. In early adulthood, it is very likely Lucas will require a complete heart transplant.
Per the request of Lucas' cardiologist, Tia will relocate to Seattle one month prior to her induction date, while Doug stays home and continues to work. Once Lucas is born, Doug will be unable to work for some time, as him and Tia stay with their son. Depending on his condition, he could be required to stay in the hospital for many months.
Leading up to the time before Tia relocates, they have multiple appointments and ultrasounds scheduled in Seattle.
I am asking that we come together and help relieve some of the financial burden Tia and Doug will acquire during this already stressful time in their lives. Money will be used for the cost of travel and food, and once Lucas is born, to help pay for his multiple surgeries and extended hospital stay. It will also help their loss of income while Doug is unable to work.
You all know as much as I do that Tia and Doug are amazing people and do not deserve to go through this, but they are strong and will not give up on Lucas. ANY amount helps so that they can put all of their focus on their baby boy.
Please refrain from bombarding Tia and Doug with further questions, as this is an extremely difficult time. Updates will be made as new information is learned. Thank you for your prayers, support and hope for Lucas.
At the original anatomy scan, Lucas was being stubborn and the tech couldn't get the proper pictures of his heart, so they were asked to come back. They returned the following month, and the tech still couldn't get good pictures, so they were sent to Seattle Childrens Hospital for another ultrasound. It was during this visit that their entire world was turned upside down.
The ultrasound showed that Lucas only has two heart chambers, instead of four. His congenital heart defect is so rare that it doesn't even have an official name. Every step of the way they are learning something new, but what they do know is that Lucas will require multiple open heart surgeries. The first one could be almost immediately after his birth, and the others shortly to follow. In early adulthood, it is very likely Lucas will require a complete heart transplant.
Per the request of Lucas' cardiologist, Tia will relocate to Seattle one month prior to her induction date, while Doug stays home and continues to work. Once Lucas is born, Doug will be unable to work for some time, as him and Tia stay with their son. Depending on his condition, he could be required to stay in the hospital for many months.
Leading up to the time before Tia relocates, they have multiple appointments and ultrasounds scheduled in Seattle.
I am asking that we come together and help relieve some of the financial burden Tia and Doug will acquire during this already stressful time in their lives. Money will be used for the cost of travel and food, and once Lucas is born, to help pay for his multiple surgeries and extended hospital stay. It will also help their loss of income while Doug is unable to work.
You all know as much as I do that Tia and Doug are amazing people and do not deserve to go through this, but they are strong and will not give up on Lucas. ANY amount helps so that they can put all of their focus on their baby boy.
Please refrain from bombarding Tia and Doug with further questions, as this is an extremely difficult time. Updates will be made as new information is learned. Thank you for your prayers, support and hope for Lucas.
Organizer and beneficiary
Chelsea Torres
Organizer
Leavenworth, WA
Tia Walters
Beneficiary