On October 28, 2020 at 24 weeks pregnant. Mom walked into the ultrasound room excited to see the monthly progress of Adriel. At that 24 week ultrasound, the tech looked concerned and told her that she seen something but had to get the Doctor. Mom’s stomach sank, after having 3 miscarriages, she knew it wasn’t good news. The doctor came in and told her that it seemed like his left side of the heart wasn’t pumping as it should. At 24 weeks she didn’t know what that meant, is he able to live?
They sent mom to Riley’s Cardiology in South Bend, IN. right away and she got an echo done that showed the womb. There, the providers let mom know that it seemed like he had Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). They said more than likely mom would have to deliver in Indianapolis, IN. so Adriel could be transported right away to Riley Children’s Hospital. She then was referred to the Riley Hospital Cardiology Team.
2 weeks mom had to wait to get more information and it seemed like that November 11th appointment for finding out more, was so far away! Finally the day came and family met with the cardiology team. It felt like 20 doctors were sitting in this room with them as they once again confirmed he had HLHS.
The plan was for him to have 3 open heart surgeries to make him have a livable life. These included: a Norwood Procedure as soon as he was born, Glenn Procedure at 6-8 months old, and the Fonton Procedure at 2 1/2-3 years old. Mom’s heart sunk… She couldn’t possibly imagine having to see her newborn go through this.
At that meeting they also gave family the option of terminating pregnancy or end of life care. Mom’s heart knew right away that wasn’t a choice. At the time, she didn’t know if it was selfish or God saying “everything will be ok.”
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s went by. Mom was very nervous, because she knew January 4th (her planned C-Section) was around the corner. But mom also knew stress wasn’t good for the baby, and knew her and Adriel would be separated. She tried to focus her heart and thoughts on enjoying time with her family, Natalie (Adriel’s sister) and Josue (Adriel’s brother) as much as possible and making the holidays memorable.
Sure enough January 4th, 2021 came by and it was the best bittersweet moment. Mom knew she could no longer protect him in her womb. Finally, she was able to meet Adriel, and those big brown eyes, and she knew hearing him cry as well as coming out alive was the sweetest moment.
