Meet Lucas

“Our son Lucas was born in 2005 with a congenital heart defect called tetralogy of Fallot. As most hearts babies are, he was a tiny little thing, barely able to stay awake during a feeding, scaring us all the time, up until 3 weeks after his birth when the inevitable came and he finally turned “blue” signaling that it was time for his first surgery. It was, until that point, the most difficult day of our lives. After being rushed to Hershey Med, he was sent into surgery; the worst part of the day was when they took him out of my arms to go into the OR. We waited for news. Seven hours later it came…Lucas did well for a 5 pound little guy…he was a trooper. He continued to scare us for the next two years, as he developed lung problems and some other issues. But each time we travelled to the Children’s Heart group, our hearts were in our throats. We never knew what we would hear. Even after his correction, he always seemed tired, out of breath often and was just so small. Finally at two, an echo and cath showed severe pulmonary stenosis and an ASD that needed corrected. At that point, we reached the next most difficult day of our lives, another open heart surgery. This time we went in knowing that by doing the valve replacement, we were committing him to more surgeries, but he had to have it done. Again, he did wonderfully. Three years passed as he grew in age, grace and wisdom (well, as much as a five year old can), until we saw the signs again. For awhile, we had had a close to normal little guy. Still less stamina than the other kids, still smaller, but much better than before. When we went to that appointment on Nyes Rd, we knew what to expect, we had seen the signs and knew the symptoms, in fact, we knew his heart better than ours. It was time, time for that next valve replacement, it hadn’t last nearly as long as we hoped, but it was calcified and needed to be replaced. At that point, we reached the third most difficult day of our lives. He was getting ready for the third open heart surgery when they did the cath that found the defect that they missed, PAPVR (partial anomalous venous return). I learned it could have been worse, because it could have been a total defect, his was partial, but it still needed corrected complicating the valve replacement. That day was the most difficult, he was 5, so he understood the weeks leading up to the surgery, he was terrified, tried to be strong, but the tears were there and didn’t want to go away. His physical recovery was amazing, we were home after another open heart in 4 days. Emotionally, he is still dealing with that part of recovery, still at 6 he remembers. Looking back, it was almost easier when he was 3 weeks, he didn’t get it and didn’t remember it. But he continues to move forward. He started kindergarden this year and loves it! He played t-ball in the spring. And right now? Right now, he is on a soccer team!! AND, he is as big as all the other kids!! We are amazed at his resilience and strength. We don’t say it enough, but he is our inspiration…he always will be, from that day 6 years ago and through his next surgery, and more and beyond. He’s our miracle. Here’s to our miracle heart kids, they are God’s gift to us all.”