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Mikey was born at 36 weeks with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome with a double outlet right ventricle. He was diagnosed in utero at 22 weeks with this. We were give 3 options. They were: 1) do nothing and take him home to die 2) terminate the pregnancy 3) have the 3 stages of the Fontan. We chose to go the surgery route. At 2 days of age Mikey had the Blalock-Tausig Shunt surgery. This was the first of the three open heart surgeries. At 6 months of age he had the second surgery, the Bi-Directional Glenn, and when he was 2yrs old he had the third surgery which was the Fontan. In-between the 2nd and 3rd surgery, Mikey had a very hard time gaining weight and was put in the Hospital for Sick Children in their weight gaining program. Mikey was tub fed until age 3. After his Fontan, he did really well and finally started growing, and was down to only 2 medications. In October of 2005 Mikey was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) and then the rollar coaster ride started. We were then put on more meds and oxygen. As time went on his sats started dropping. Last June the doctors felt that there was nothing left but to get him listed for a heart transplant. The right side of his heart ( his only good side) was starting to decrease in its function. Mikey was listed as a level 2. This meant that we were waiting at home. In October, Mikey developed two Embolisms. One in each side of his pulmonary arteries. His Fontan was failing. In Dec. 2006, we went to Pittsburgh for an outpatient follow-up and were admitted. Mikey's condition was getting worse and they bumped him to the top of the transplant list. We were told that he was dying and to just enjoy him. On Dec. 22, 2006, we received the call that a donor heart was available! At 2:40am on Dec. 23, 2006, Mikey received his 2nd chance at life! That is his story in a nutshell. For all of you out there in carepage land with babies with HLHS, remember that EVERY child is different. What happened to Mikey, does not mean it will happen in your journey. GOD has a plan for us all. www.carepages.com mywalkingmiracle Donations for Mikey can be sent to: Michael Pesco Transplant Fund Northwest Savings Bank 302 N East Street Coudersport, PA 16915 Acct # 2266050430 |
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| Michael Pesco |
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| Mikey holding his old failed heart |