Josiah's Heart Surgery Fund
Donation protected
Our best friends, Josh and Kelsey DeRuyter had a beautiful son named Josiah. At 7 weeks old Josiah had to have emergency heart surgery due to a coarctation of the aorta. After surgery he spent several weeks in the hospital and is currently hospitalized again due to complications with recovery. Due to his surgery, extended hospital stays, administered medications, time away from work, and the future needs of maintaining his health (possible surgeries, medication, etc.) the costs are mounting up against this young family who also has a 1 year old daughter, Jacklyn. Please read Josiah's story below and consider making a donation to help the DeRuyter family.
At week 29 of Kelsey's pregnancy she was hospitalized due to the flu. Their visit turned into a nightmare when the nurses instantly rushed her to the operating room in a panic stating that Josiah's heart rate had dropped dangerously low and they wanted to deliver him right then and there. By the grace of God, a CHOC Cardiovascular Specialist happen to be at Hoag and was available to evaluate Josiah. After close monitoring in the operating room it was determined that Josiah had a Fetal Arrhythmia. Josh and Kelsey were told this condition would most likely correct itself at birth. After a few days at the hospital they were able to go home, but throughout the remainder of Kelsey's pregnancy Josiah's heart condition was closely monitored. Soon there were no signs of the Arrhythmia.
Josiah was born on March 11, 2016 at 10:53pm, he was 7lbs. and 20" long.
After about a month of long nights (and days) with a newborn baby that seemed extra cranky, Josh & Kelsey could feel something just wasn't right. Josiah had stopped eating and had no interest in taking more than 1oz. per feeding. At that age, he should be taking about 3-4oz. Doctors had no solutions after several visits, except that it could be acid reflux, or possibly allergies. Josiah was then placed on acid reflux medication.
At about 7 weeks old, Kelsey knew something was wrong and asked that Josiah be admitted to the hospital. They were admitted to CHOC Mission Viejo where they completed an X-ray and that is when Josh & Kelsey found out about Josiah’s enlarged heart. A typical heart is the size of a fist, whereas Josiah’s took up the majority of his chest and was causing complications with his lungs. They took a late night ambulance ride to CHOC Orange where he was admitted to the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CICU). Later that night Josiah was diagnosed with a Coarctation of the Aorta.
Josiah had surgery the next morning on May 6 to remove the tissue from his aorta. After a seemingly successful surgery and 3 weeks in recovery in the CICU his heart is doing much better and his heart function is improving daily. The struggle now is eating. Because of his condition Josiah is extremely underweight. He still has an NG tube (feeding tube in his nose) and possibly needs a G Tube (which would be in his stomach) for him to get to a healthy weight. As of right now, doctors still aren't sure why he is not eating. Josiah is now back at CHOC for this issue and continues to fight this battle. He will have to learn to eat on his own in order to return home with his family.
We ask for your prayers and financial support for Josiah and the DeRuyter family. Thank you!
At week 29 of Kelsey's pregnancy she was hospitalized due to the flu. Their visit turned into a nightmare when the nurses instantly rushed her to the operating room in a panic stating that Josiah's heart rate had dropped dangerously low and they wanted to deliver him right then and there. By the grace of God, a CHOC Cardiovascular Specialist happen to be at Hoag and was available to evaluate Josiah. After close monitoring in the operating room it was determined that Josiah had a Fetal Arrhythmia. Josh and Kelsey were told this condition would most likely correct itself at birth. After a few days at the hospital they were able to go home, but throughout the remainder of Kelsey's pregnancy Josiah's heart condition was closely monitored. Soon there were no signs of the Arrhythmia.
Josiah was born on March 11, 2016 at 10:53pm, he was 7lbs. and 20" long.
After about a month of long nights (and days) with a newborn baby that seemed extra cranky, Josh & Kelsey could feel something just wasn't right. Josiah had stopped eating and had no interest in taking more than 1oz. per feeding. At that age, he should be taking about 3-4oz. Doctors had no solutions after several visits, except that it could be acid reflux, or possibly allergies. Josiah was then placed on acid reflux medication.
At about 7 weeks old, Kelsey knew something was wrong and asked that Josiah be admitted to the hospital. They were admitted to CHOC Mission Viejo where they completed an X-ray and that is when Josh & Kelsey found out about Josiah’s enlarged heart. A typical heart is the size of a fist, whereas Josiah’s took up the majority of his chest and was causing complications with his lungs. They took a late night ambulance ride to CHOC Orange where he was admitted to the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CICU). Later that night Josiah was diagnosed with a Coarctation of the Aorta.
Josiah had surgery the next morning on May 6 to remove the tissue from his aorta. After a seemingly successful surgery and 3 weeks in recovery in the CICU his heart is doing much better and his heart function is improving daily. The struggle now is eating. Because of his condition Josiah is extremely underweight. He still has an NG tube (feeding tube in his nose) and possibly needs a G Tube (which would be in his stomach) for him to get to a healthy weight. As of right now, doctors still aren't sure why he is not eating. Josiah is now back at CHOC for this issue and continues to fight this battle. He will have to learn to eat on his own in order to return home with his family.
We ask for your prayers and financial support for Josiah and the DeRuyter family. Thank you!
Organizer and beneficiary
Greg Earl
Organizer
Huntington Beach, CA
Josh DeRuyter
Beneficiary