Prayers for POW

Friends, thank you already for the outpouring of support that y’all have graciously given the Woffords - prayers, calls, texts, meals, groceries, childcare, and so much more.  The support is appreciated more than can ever be expressed.

Patrick’s story: 

Beautiful-eyed Patrick Oliver Wofford (POW) made his entrance into this world on September 4, 2017.  He was welcomed by his incredible family - his mama Mary Helen, his daddy Nate, big brother Damian, and big sister Clare. 

At 30 weeks of pregnancy, the Woffords learned that Patrick had a condition known as Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return (TAPVR).  Instead of his pulmonary veins returning to the left atrium, they missed their mark and ended up dumping into the coronary sinus. This meant oxygenated blood would not be efficiently pumped to the rest of his body. 

They had hoped to wait until he was a month old to have corrective surgery.  After he was born, it became obvious they wouldn’t be able to wait due to obstructed veins.  On his second day of life, he had his first open heart surgery.  Approximately 2 weeks later, they discovered the opening where the surgeon had reattached the pulmonary veins to the heart needed to be widened.  He underwent another open heart surgery.  Afterwards he struggled to heal and recover; but after 8 long weeks in the hospital, he finally was sent home. 

The Woffords knew when they left the hospital that the pulmonary veins were starting to narrow due to scar tissue and a final surgery would be necessary.  They had hoped he would grow some but after struggling to gain weight for 2 months, it became apparent he needed to proceed with the surgery.  There was some fear that the pulmonary veins would be completely closed with no opening for the surgeon to use to restore blood flow.  Thankfully, the repair was possible. However, a few weeks ago an echo showed the pulmonary veins were narrowing yet again.

Unfortunately, Patrick has started showing clinical signs that his health is declining. He’s having trouble breathing and showing signs of feeding intolerance.  Patrick is now at home with his family under hospice care. 

While we all continue to pray for a miracle, the Woffords are focused on soaking up this time with Patrick.  In Mary Helen’s words: “We are at peace knowing we have done everything that can be done for Patrick. We thank you for walking this journey with us.  Your prayers have kept us grounded and focused on what really matters— celebrating life and all its beauty.” 

How you can help: 

So many people have continued to ask how they can continue to help - so here we are.  As this precious family faces the unimaginable task of preparing to say goodbye to Patrick, there are monetary costs that will quickly build.  Nate hopes to take some time off work to be there and grieve with his family, and unfortunately, funeral costs are burdensome.  Additionally, while insurance has covered some of the medical expenses, the Woffords had hoped Patrick would qualify for Medicaid coverage for extra medical expenses (including hospice care); unfortunately, that request has not yet been approved. 

The Woffords will be godly stewards of your donations, and they will use any donation you make to support their fervent prayer of honoring Patrick’s time here, however long that might be.