Heart Friends... Reunited!

Last week, Zachy had the unique opportunity to reunite with one of his U of M heart sisters, Olivia. Olivia lives in a small Kansas town a few hours away, and was in Wichita for a doctor check-up. Olivia, too, was diagnosed with tricuspid atresia, but she struggled with many more complications and spent nearly four months in the hospital. You would never believe she has been through so much if you met her today! Olivia is a beautiful, chubby baby who is always smiling and meeting her developmental milestones despite the earlier setbacks. It was a great feeling to get the babies together again, and we look forward to many more reunions!

Note the spoon Olivia is holding in the first picture. By the time we were done clicking our cameras, she had handed it off to Zachary and he was sucking on it in the last picture! Nothing like true love...


We thank God for Zachy's health and progress, as we know full well that things could have gone the other way for him. But there are challenges, even when he is doing well. As we enter the cold and flu season, we're planning all the necessary injections to keep him healthy. One of these is his monthly Synagis shot that protects against RSV. He was to receive his first Synagis of the season this month, but our insurance company has dropped coverage and tells us we are now responsible for the full $3500 cost of the injection each month. Our pediatrician has collaborated on our efforts to appeal Zachy's case, given he is high risk for complications from RSV. Please pray that the situation resolves quickly so that he can receive this much-needed medication.

Please also keep in your prayers Zachy's U of M heart brother and fellow Wichitan baby Mason. He returned to Ann Arbor for his Hemi-Fontan surgery, but a recent heart cath determined he is currently not a candidate for the surgery. You can follow his story at http://masonslater.com/.

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