The Lee Family & Baby James

For the family of Phil and Amy Lee. To assist in ongoing medical and travel costs, this GoFundMe has been started for those who would like to financially contribute to the Lee Family during this time.

From Monday, December 18th:

James Thomas Hae-sung Lee was born today and passed into eternal rest at 12:40 p.m. They tried the best they could but his heart just wasn't able to keep up.

We will be spending time together as a family in the coming days. We will post another update when we are returning home to Peoria.

From Sunday, December 17th:

Lurie Children's Hospital reinforced that, whatever they may do, Baby James still has a low chance of surviving, they agreed to do whatever interventions are possible and needed after his birth. To coordinate with all the necessary teams and because of James' health, they thought that it best to proceed with a scheduled C-section, which will be tomorrow (Monday, December 18).

Thank you for your continued prayers, support, and love. Please join us in praying for Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen's intercession in earnest. He has been a powerful and ever present presence in our lives and marriage and he certainly loves babies. We have adapted the Prayer for Favor from the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation.

Eternal Father, You alone grant us every blessing in Heaven and on earth, through the redemptive mission of Your Divine Son, Jesus Christ, and by the working of the Holy Spirit. If it be according to Your Will, glorify Your servant, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, by granting the favor I now request through his prayerful intercession that Baby James be healed of his illness. I make this prayer confidently through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

From Thursday, December 14th:

Lurie Children’s Hospital was willing to do testing and imaging to see if they would be able and willing to provide James with the surgeries that he would need after birth.

From Friday, December 1st:

Firstly, they confirmed what the Peoria team was finding: a heart defect of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome with an intact atrial septum (HLHS with RAS) and abnormalities with the kidneys (left kidney is swollen and right has atrophied) and urinary tract. Additionally, they found some worsening symptoms with the fluid collecting around his lungs (called pleural effusions) and abdomen (called ascites). Collectively, the collection of fluid in more than one area of the body is called hydrops. There was also some fluid collection under parts of his skin (edema). He continues to show high pressures in the veins coming back to the heart from the lungs- which is indicative that lung development is/will be impeded as well as those blood vessels not function well after birth.

From Tuesday, November 14th:

After traveling to Houston, the team at Texas Children's Hospital determined James was not a candidate for surgery. The fluid around his organs had increased and there were concerns with his kidney issues. His heart atrium was too small for him to tolerate the surgery or for them to be able to safely do it.

From Friday, November 3rd:

During the normal process of getting ultrasounds, it was discovered that James has a heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) with a restricted atrial septum.