Ethan Skidmore, our fourth child, was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome at 19 weeks in utero. We were told he had it very severe and would require a series of three surgeries to make him a “half-heart” baby. We were overwhelmed, but determined to see the course through and be there for our child every step of the way. At 27 weeks along Ethan developed further complications called Pleural Effusions (fluid around the lungs). We were told he may not survive. After being closely followed Ethan was carried to full term and his effusions were very small. He needed no breathing assistance at birth and looked like a beautiful healthy baby.

At 6 days old he had his first open heart surgery. The Norwood procedure with a Sano shunt. The Sano shunt was used instead of a BT shunt. Ethan had a surprise in surgery. He had a right sided aortic arch that went a did a full wrap (or ring) around his esophagus. He ended up with a trache from vocal cord paralysis from the ring repair. And shortly after surgery, his pleural effusions returned. He battled his way through multiple procedures and surgeries (w/ half a heart) and was able to come home at 9 weeks of age. At 11 weeks of age he was able to have his trache removed. His vocal cords were working again. We LOVED having him home. 

When Ethan was 3 ½ months old he had his second open heart surgery, the Glenn procedure. This procedure is very dependent on strong lungs. Ethan’s lungs were questionable because of the unknown origin behind his pleural effusions. But he needed the procedure. He did well at first, but after 10 days his lungs could no longer tolerate the new pressures and he got an infection. His pleural effusions became worse than ever. To make a long story short, Ethan endured 2 more months of multiple surgeries and procedures. He put up a tremendous fight! Every time there was light at the end of the tunnel, other complications came. It was determined his heart and lungs were too sick. He would need a transplant. As we were exploring this new road we were about to journey down, our Ethan swiftly and peacefully left this life. We are better because of Ethan. He has touched many lives in his short journey on Earth. And we are grateful to the Eller Heart Center for their medical efforts and the frienships made during this period in our life. 

 Paige

 KADEN

Kaden was diagnosed with a heart defect call Hypoplastic Left Heart syndrome (HLHS) before he was even born. His parents learned that he would need a series of three open heart surgeries to keep him alive. One to take place during the first week of life, the second at about 6 months old, and the third before age 3. Kaden was born on December 14, 2010. At one week old he underwent his first open heart surgery, the Hybrid. The surgery was a success but Kaden struggled to breath on his own. He was extubated several times only to be reintubated within hours. He also had a valve that was leaking severely and developed a dysfunctional rhythm with his heart.  It was decided that his best chance at life would be to receive a heart transplant. After 3 weeks of evaluations and 8 days on a waiting list his parents were walking in Ethan’s run when they received a call that there was a heart available for Kaden! He was just 8 weeks old when he received his new heart. Today he is an 13 month old boy who is full of life, love, and joy. His family loves him to pieces and are forever grateful to have a great opportunity to raise such a sweet spirited little boy!

WILL

Our precious boy William was born with many complicating heart defects Av canal,Dorv, Vsd,severe pulmonary hypertension and mitral stenosis which led to his 2nd open heart surgery mitral valve replacement.He was later diagnosed at age 1 with chronic lung disease and had a tracheotomy placed.William overcame 2 ohs, brain bleed,and numerous infections and months in the icu.He was an amazing strong little boy.At the age of 2 yrs old on April 25th 2011 at 1:00am he bacame our precious angel.He never took steps here on earth but on April 25th he ran to the arms of Jesus.

MARK

Our 6^th child, Mark, was born on May 6^th, 2008 and seemed as healthy as could be.  When he was almost 2 days old, his wonderful and alert nurse noticed that he was breathing too quickly.  She took him to the nursery to check

 his oxygen, other tests followed, and within a couple of hours we were told that our son had HLHS (Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome).  We experienced a whirlwind of emotions as we were told of the severity of his situation and what he would need to go through to survive.  He was taken by air evac to St. Joseph’s hospital and at 8 days old underwent the Norwood, the first of 3 open heart surgeries that he would need to allow him to live with only one ventricle.  He did really well, was home 2 weeks after surgery and continued to thrive at home.  When he was 3 ½ months old he was back in the hospital for the second surgery, the Glenn.  This proved to be a harder recovery for him.  He struggled with fluid around his lungs (pleural effusions) caused by chylothorax.  He spent weeks in the hospital, had to have a lung surgery (pleurodesis), and even when he made it home, he needed oxygen to help his lungs.  Finally, just after his first birthday, the fluid went away and he was able to come off the oxygen and start growing and catching up.  We enjoyed 3 wonderful years with him out of the hospital and doing very well.  This past August(2011) he went back for the third open heart surgery, the Fontan.  We were told to be prepared for a long, difficult recovery like his second surgery.  Much to our surprise, he did awesome!  He was home in ten days and hasn’t looked back since.  He is full of energy and personality and he wears out everyone else in the family.  He loves to play sports and spends most of his time dribbling or hitting a ball.  We feel so blessed to have him doing so well!  We are forever grateful to the amazing doctors and nurses at St. Joe’s and PCH who have cared for him from the beginning and treat us like family.  The ‘heart community’ is so supportive and encouraging and we are very fortunate to be part of such a great group of people!