At 16 weeks pregnant, Jen and Forest found out their soon-to-be baby boy had a severe heart defect and that he would need open heart surgery after birth. They never imagined how complex his heart problems were going to be, or how many other medical complications he would suffer.
As you can imagine, huge expenses are mounting for them. Jen, his mother is a teacher who used up all sick leave shortly after he was born; Forest, his father, is self-employed and is getting very little work at this time, and there is little income now and for the foreseeable future to pay medical, travel, meal, and living expenses.
Because of these insurmountable financial issues and the overwhelming strain and worry that Jen and Forest are dealing with, we, their family and friends, are reaching out to you to help them in any way possible. All donations are going directly to them. Please donate through the GoFundMe site — https://www.gofundme.com/f/helping-jason039s-heart
At birth he was diagnosed with a rare congenital heart defect called Isolated Dextrocardia with Scimitar Syndrome. One heart valve is turned the wrong direction and is pushing into his right lung causing the lung to drain into the vein which returns blood to the heart. Two or three veins are going from the right lung to the right side of the heart, and they should be going to the left side. There is pressure on the right side causing the heart to be asymmetrical. The top of his lung will never develop but he can live with it like that if they can correct the rest. Also, a critical complication is that his aorta is narrowed, and is not feeding his organs the blood and oxygen they require.
As of May 15, 2020, after many terrifying episodes where he stopped breathing, passed out and his heart rate seriously dropped, plus more than 40 days overall in hospital stays, Jay is now 4 months old and his open heart surgery will be happening sooner than later. He was flown to Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston on May 14, and they believe he is in the best possible place for his continuing care.
His family asks most of all for your prayers for this precious little Jay, and any possible financial help will be a blessing for which we know they will be most grateful.
Jay also has a 16-year-old sister, Kaylee, who is a sophomore in high school and misses her baby brother so much.
Over the May 16-17 weekend all of the Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH) folks involved in his care were pulling information together from all tests prior to Jay’s arrival at TCH, as well as compiling information of their own.
Jen and Forest believe the TCH technology, expertise, skill and knowledge is by far more superior than anything else they could have possibly imagined.
He continues having lots of his “episodes” that are truly scary, but he keeps fighting through them. Because of that, they’re keeping him pretty heavily sedated and he’s remained intubated since all of the tests last Wednesday.
He has a severe case of pulmonary hypertension, obviously a heart defect, and a narrowed aorta where it enters the stomach. Those are the facts they know of as of now. On Tuesday there will be a ‘meeting of the minds’ where every specialist at TCH — including cardiac, pulmonary, surgeons etc. — will meet to discuss his case and devise a plan. Not sure they’ll actually have the answers on Tuesday but at least they should have an idea of where they will start.
What we do know is they have made it clear that this will not be an easy fix or a quick one and that Jen and Forest need to prepare themselves for a long and rough road ahead. Jay is tough, though. He will keep fighting — with his Momma and Daddy right by his side for the journey.
Fortunately, they lifted the ban on both parents visiting so now Forest DOES get to see Jay. The parents can’t be there at the same time yet, but they can trade off for a minimum of 24 hours. That is a huge relief for both of them and Jay gets to see his Daddy! Everyone’s prayers were definitely heard with that one!
Prayers and financial support have been overwhelming to them, and they know those prayers are only strengthening the hand of God resting over Jay. They both say they are living by this scripture —
Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. #prayforjay #lordhearourprayers #unbealevable #stronglilman #ourheartwarrior #godisgood
— at Texas Children’s Hospital Legacy Tower.