Life-Saving Heart Surgery for Our Baby Walker Webb
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Support for Walker Webb on his Heart Journey ❤️
I reach out to you today with a heart heavy with worry yet buoyed by hope as I share the journey of our precious grandson, Walker Oliver Daniel Webb. His story, fraught with challenges from the beginning, paints a picture of resilience and love that knows no bounds.
Born on April 5, 2024, at 1:09 PM, weighing a delicate 6 pounds 4 ounces, Walker entered our lives with a strength and spirit beyond his size. However, our joy soon turned to concern when, just a day after his birth, the doctor detected a murmur, prompting further examination.
On April 11, our world was turned upside down as we received the devastating news of Walker's congenital heart defects – a very large VSD (Ventricular Septal Defect) and a moderate ASD (Atrial Septal Defect), coupled with an imbalance in the size of his heart's chambers causing reduced blood flow to his lungs.
As of April 23, the unimaginable became our reality when we learned that our sweet grandson Walker was in heart failure at just two weeks old. Our hearts sank with fear of what was to come, but our resolve strengthened, knowing that we would do whatever it took to help him in this fight for his life.
Walker has begun receiving crucial heart medication with the hope of prolonging the need for surgery until he gains the strength and weight necessary for such a monumental procedure. The goal is to reach the three-month mark before surgery, but his struggles with breathing and exhaustion during feeding may necessitate an earlier intervention.
When the time for surgery arrives, it will not only pose a significant challenge for our daughter Hailey and her husband Jake but also entail a lengthy and costly recovery process. Jake, as the primary earner, will need to take extended unpaid leave to support Hailey as they care for both Walker and their four-year-old autistic son, Henry, who himself requires special attention. In addition to the demands of caring for Walker and Henry, Hailey and Jake must also ensure that their older children, Harmonie, age nine, and Micah, age seven, receive the love and attention they deserve during this challenging time.
As a family, we have pledged to support them as much as we can, but the road ahead is fraught with uncertainty.
The recovery timeline is daunting – a minimum of four to eight weeks, with the possibility of extension if surgery is required sooner. Our hearts ache at the thought of the challenges that lie ahead, but we refuse to let fear dictate our actions.
We have launched this GoFundMe campaign to ease the financial burden weighing heavily on Hailey and Jake. Medical bills, travel expenses, and the cost of ongoing care threaten to overwhelm them, but with your help, we can face this challenge head-on.
Our faith remains steadfast. We believe in Walker, our dedicated medical team, and the journey we are on together.
Though the road may be steep and the challenges great, within Walker beats the heart of a true warrior. He writes the story of resilience, courage, and boundless possibility with each hurdle overcome. May his journey inspire us all to embrace life's trials with grace, and may his path be adorned with endless blessings, leading him to a life rich in love, joy, and fulfillment.
Thank you for being a part of our story.
****Resources to learn about Walker's condition and treatment plan:
VSD information: https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/ventricular-septal-defect-vsd
ASD information: https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/atrial-septal-defect
I reach out to you today with a heart heavy with worry yet buoyed by hope as I share the journey of our precious grandson, Walker Oliver Daniel Webb. His story, fraught with challenges from the beginning, paints a picture of resilience and love that knows no bounds.
Born on April 5, 2024, at 1:09 PM, weighing a delicate 6 pounds 4 ounces, Walker entered our lives with a strength and spirit beyond his size. However, our joy soon turned to concern when, just a day after his birth, the doctor detected a murmur, prompting further examination.
On April 11, our world was turned upside down as we received the devastating news of Walker's congenital heart defects – a very large VSD (Ventricular Septal Defect) and a moderate ASD (Atrial Septal Defect), coupled with an imbalance in the size of his heart's chambers causing reduced blood flow to his lungs.
As of April 23, the unimaginable became our reality when we learned that our sweet grandson Walker was in heart failure at just two weeks old. Our hearts sank with fear of what was to come, but our resolve strengthened, knowing that we would do whatever it took to help him in this fight for his life.
Walker has begun receiving crucial heart medication with the hope of prolonging the need for surgery until he gains the strength and weight necessary for such a monumental procedure. The goal is to reach the three-month mark before surgery, but his struggles with breathing and exhaustion during feeding may necessitate an earlier intervention.
When the time for surgery arrives, it will not only pose a significant challenge for our daughter Hailey and her husband Jake but also entail a lengthy and costly recovery process. Jake, as the primary earner, will need to take extended unpaid leave to support Hailey as they care for both Walker and their four-year-old autistic son, Henry, who himself requires special attention. In addition to the demands of caring for Walker and Henry, Hailey and Jake must also ensure that their older children, Harmonie, age nine, and Micah, age seven, receive the love and attention they deserve during this challenging time.
As a family, we have pledged to support them as much as we can, but the road ahead is fraught with uncertainty.
The recovery timeline is daunting – a minimum of four to eight weeks, with the possibility of extension if surgery is required sooner. Our hearts ache at the thought of the challenges that lie ahead, but we refuse to let fear dictate our actions.
We have launched this GoFundMe campaign to ease the financial burden weighing heavily on Hailey and Jake. Medical bills, travel expenses, and the cost of ongoing care threaten to overwhelm them, but with your help, we can face this challenge head-on.
Our faith remains steadfast. We believe in Walker, our dedicated medical team, and the journey we are on together.
Though the road may be steep and the challenges great, within Walker beats the heart of a true warrior. He writes the story of resilience, courage, and boundless possibility with each hurdle overcome. May his journey inspire us all to embrace life's trials with grace, and may his path be adorned with endless blessings, leading him to a life rich in love, joy, and fulfillment.
Thank you for being a part of our story.
****Resources to learn about Walker's condition and treatment plan:
VSD information: https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/ventricular-septal-defect-vsd
ASD information: https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/atrial-septal-defect
Organizer
Amberlee and Dan Zurawski
Organizer
City of Middleton, WI