Shae's Warriors

We are raising money for the Veach family to help cover the medical expenses associated with Shae's heart transplant. Shae has been in the hospital for 6 weeks and will need to take immune suppressant medications for the rest of his life, which are quite costly. We are also attempting to make up for the lost income incurred by the family as they have been by Shae's side at the hospital for weeks on end. 

Shae's Story (Told by his dad, Scott):
In 2004, while my wife Shannon was pregnant with our 5th child (Shae), she went to a routine ultrasound. During that ultrasound we were informed that the baby had a severe heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Basically the left ventricle was so under developed it would never function. We were given three options; do nothing and the baby would die shortly after birth; abort the baby; or have a series of 3 complex open heart surgeries after the surgery in an attempt to fix his heart. Even with the series of surgeries ultimately he would need a heart transplant at some point.

Scott holding Shae before his first surgery at 5 days old. 

Our beautiful Shae has battled since the day he was born.

Shae has done remarkably well throughout his childhood, although he would always tire and get winded quite easily. At times, his lips would turn blue which is common in children with HLHS. Basically his right ventricle was doing the work of both and he was never fully oxygenated. However, he recently took a turn for the worse. 

On August 10th of this year, Shae went into heart failure and was admitted in the ICU at Phoenix Children's Hospital. It was hoped that with a series of medications he was stable enough to return home, which he did on the 14th of August. On August 17th, he went back into heart failure and was again admitted into ICU. After a series of tests it was determined that his heart was failing and he would now need a transplant. There were many tests that had to be done before he would be eligible for the transplant list. On September 4th he was placed on the transplant list and we were told that it could take up to a year to get a heart. During that week there was also discussion that he may be able to go home and wait for a heart but that would require a home health care nurse and the decision hadn't been made yet.

On the evening of Sept 6th we received a phone call letting us know a heart was available and they were 99% sure it was a match. Surgery would take place the next morning at 730 AM, so the entire family stayed with Shae at the hospital Friday night.

After a long day of surgery we were finally told that we had a beating heart. Shae has done fantastic so far physically. There were some tough days mentally as he was emotionally drained as he adjusted to his new heart. He was released 11 days post op, far better and faster than expected. This is incredibly bittersweet, as we are elated for the new opportunities that await Shae, while we grieve the loss another family has suffered.

Shae after his third open heart surgery.

Shannon with Shae after his third surgery.

On our Make A Wish trip to Florida.