Support Fallon's Heart Surgery Journey

Hi my name is Torri and I am trying to help raise funds for my sister-in-law and her sweet baby. Fallon was born in February of this year and 10 days after she was born the doctors discovered she had a Ventricular Septal Defect, which is a hole in her heart, along with some other heart issues. She ended up being in the hospital for 7 days on oxygen, in order to avoid her body from having to chose between eating and breathing properly because one of her lungs was overworking itself. Since being released from the hospital, they have been taking her to the cardiologist weekly and she was on oxygen at home for 2 additional weeks. During their last cardiology appointment they were told that Fallon would need to have heart surgery in a few weeks, at only 3 months old. The family knew eventually that her condition would require surgery, but it has become a need sooner than expected. Lauren (her mom) is a first-year PreK teacher who has had a reduction in pay due to extended medical leave. Colton (dad) recently changed jobs and does not qualify for leave with pay yet. Both Lauren and Colton will be out of work while they are with Fallon during pre-op, surgery, and recovery at New Orleans Children's Hospital. All funds collected will be used for travel expenses and living expenses during the hospital stay as Fallon recovers.

The Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) is an opening or hole in the wall (septum) separating the two lower chambers of the heart ventricles. In normal development the hole closes on its own before the fetus is born, so that by birth the oxygen-rich blood is kept from mixing in with the oxygen-poor blood. When the hole does not close, it may cause higher pressure in the heart or reduced oxygen to the body. In Fallon's case, the hole will never close on its own, due to the exact location of the hole. Also because of the location of the hole they are unable to achieve success with intravenous surgery, so Fallon will need open heart surgery. Due to the opening of the heart, recovery times will be longer and extend the family's stay in New Orleans. Any help is appreciated so Mom and Dad can focus on the health and wellness of their first born, instead of worrying about the finances that come with scary medical needs.