Hope for Brenley's Heart
Donation protected
All future UPDATES will be posted to my personal facebook page. The Link: Brenley's Story
On Monday, December 5th, 2016, we went in for our 20 week ultrasound. The excitement had been building for weeks to find out if baby was a boy or girl. The ultrasound seemed to go completely normal and that is when our ultrasound tech told us we would be having a beautiful baby girl! The ultrasound was followed by a visit with the doctor to review the 20 week anatomy scan. She came in the room and sat down and began to tell us that the lower left chamber of the heart appeared to be severely underdeveloped. She referred us to a Perinatal specialist who could better look at the heart and confirm what they were seeing was correct. Luckily, we were able to see the specialist the next day. The next day we went to the specialist with high hopes that it was a miss and that maybe Brenley’s heart would be whole. As the ultrasound technician searched and searched for the chambers of the heart we could tell there was a problem. After the anatomy scan was completed the doctor came in the room to inform us that they still could not find a fully formed lower left heart chamber. She then diagnosed Brenley with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome w/ Mitral Stenosis/Aortic Atresia. This is a condition in which her lower left chamber of her heart did not fully form, therefore it will not be able to function after birth. This part of the heart is the part that pumps oxygen rich blood to the rest of the body. There is no complete fix for this type of heart defect. She then made us aware that this condition is fatal without a series of 3 open-heart surgeries.
When Brenley is born, she will need to undergo her first open heart surgery within the first week of life. This surgery is called the Norwood procedure. She will then need a second open heart surgery at anywhere from 3-6 months old called the Glenn, followed by a third called the Fontan sometime before she is five years old. We will need to travel for delivery so that the pediatric cardiologist and surgeon team for Brenley will be available and ready to go. We will also need to travel to be there for her three surgeries and be able to stay with her as she recovers. Following her first surgery in her first week of life they estimate about 1 month recovery. Her second surgery will be at anywhere from 3-6 months old and is estimated at about 10 days recovery. In between the first two surgeries we will need to stay by her side as she will be constantly monitored and under close care. We also know these times will be some of the most crucial of her life. There is a long road ahead for baby Brenley and our family. Anything donated will be directly used towards Brenley’s medical costs. We know many will not be able to give, and that’s okay, do not feel obligated. Your prayers and love are going to get us through this journey as well. We appreciate your love and support more than words can say.
To learn more about HLHS - https://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@hcm/documents/downloadable/ucm_307664.pdf
On Monday, December 5th, 2016, we went in for our 20 week ultrasound. The excitement had been building for weeks to find out if baby was a boy or girl. The ultrasound seemed to go completely normal and that is when our ultrasound tech told us we would be having a beautiful baby girl! The ultrasound was followed by a visit with the doctor to review the 20 week anatomy scan. She came in the room and sat down and began to tell us that the lower left chamber of the heart appeared to be severely underdeveloped. She referred us to a Perinatal specialist who could better look at the heart and confirm what they were seeing was correct. Luckily, we were able to see the specialist the next day. The next day we went to the specialist with high hopes that it was a miss and that maybe Brenley’s heart would be whole. As the ultrasound technician searched and searched for the chambers of the heart we could tell there was a problem. After the anatomy scan was completed the doctor came in the room to inform us that they still could not find a fully formed lower left heart chamber. She then diagnosed Brenley with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome w/ Mitral Stenosis/Aortic Atresia. This is a condition in which her lower left chamber of her heart did not fully form, therefore it will not be able to function after birth. This part of the heart is the part that pumps oxygen rich blood to the rest of the body. There is no complete fix for this type of heart defect. She then made us aware that this condition is fatal without a series of 3 open-heart surgeries. When Brenley is born, she will need to undergo her first open heart surgery within the first week of life. This surgery is called the Norwood procedure. She will then need a second open heart surgery at anywhere from 3-6 months old called the Glenn, followed by a third called the Fontan sometime before she is five years old. We will need to travel for delivery so that the pediatric cardiologist and surgeon team for Brenley will be available and ready to go. We will also need to travel to be there for her three surgeries and be able to stay with her as she recovers. Following her first surgery in her first week of life they estimate about 1 month recovery. Her second surgery will be at anywhere from 3-6 months old and is estimated at about 10 days recovery. In between the first two surgeries we will need to stay by her side as she will be constantly monitored and under close care. We also know these times will be some of the most crucial of her life. There is a long road ahead for baby Brenley and our family. Anything donated will be directly used towards Brenley’s medical costs. We know many will not be able to give, and that’s okay, do not feel obligated. Your prayers and love are going to get us through this journey as well. We appreciate your love and support more than words can say.
To learn more about HLHS - https://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@hcm/documents/downloadable/ucm_307664.pdf
Organizer
Belinda Blair Parker
Organizer
Helotes, TX