Malenas Fighting Heart

Baby girl Malena Anne was born November 1st, 2019 at 6:19am and delivered by her daddy. At our 20 week appointment we found out that Malena has a common heart defect called VSD (ventricular septal defect) which is a hole of some size in the septum between her bottom two chambers. Initially they close up or require monitoring after birth. In Malenas case her hole size is rare, missing over 3/4ths of her septum. This can cause lung and congestive heart failure quickly without open heart surgery. Over the last few months we have been monitored 3x daily, meeting with specialists and coming up with different plans and solutions knowing the end result is surgery but when, what kinds, and how many. As she has grown her hole has gotten bigger. This is extremely rare. In the last 6 weeks her hole has gone from 7mm to 8mm. We are now spending the next few weeks to months in the cardiac nicu while she is closely monitored until surgery in the next week or two. You can imagine how tired and worried we are but are remaining positive and full of faith that everything will be okay. As of now, mom is spending nearly every hour with her and dad is doing everything he can to support us financially. But as she has begun her decline into congestive heart failure, she has begun lasiks and has had her doses upped as her fluid levels continue to rise. In just a short but long 5 days Malena has had multiple scares for abdominal blockages, poor feedings, and extreme fatigue. With all this the expenses have already begun to pile up. As you could imagine, this is something no parent should have to endure, especially stressing over bills and current/future medical expenses. We have a long road ahead of us this next year as we prepare for lost wages, travel expenses, medical supplies, multiple surgeries, long nicu stays and more. As hard as it is for us to ask for help, we’re at a point where a little goes a long way to help us get through this hard time. We will continue to update everyone and are so grateful for those of you that can help during this time