Ethan Hernandez was born on July 24, 2008, in San Antonio, TX. Ethan’s diagnosis was missed in utero. The day he was born, Ethan turned blue immediately and was rushed to the NICU. It wasn’t until 7 hours later that he was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. After we were given options, Ethan was transported to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, OH, for the hybrid procedure. After further evaluation by their specialty doctors, Ethan was not a candidate for the hybrid procedure. The team there referred him to Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, TX, where he had his 3-stage procedure completed by an amazing surgeon. The first 3 years of Ethan’s life were not always easy. As he got older, Ethan went to school, made friends and lived life as a normal child. He was always a happy, loving boy who enjoyed spending time with his family and playing video games.

March of 2021, Ethan started feeling under the weather. What appeared to be exhaustion from getting back into a normal school routine after the schools were closed due to covid, turned into something much more serious. Ethan went to see his cardiologist where it was confirmed that Ethan’s single ventricle was no longer squeezing as it once was. By this point Ethan was puffy in his face and belly area. He then had to wear a 24-hour holter monitor and he did some blood work. It was confirmed that Ethan was in heart failure. His BNP levels were extremely high. He was then admitted into the hospital here in Austin, TX. He was immediately put on a heart failure IV medication and was sent to the Cath lab a few days later. The heart failure team put him on medication therapy that helped him tremendously. 8 days later we were discharged from the hospital.

November of 2021, Ethan started having these fevers every so often. We was seen by the pediatrician as well at an urgent clinic nearby. I was told if the fevers came back the next day to take him in. The fevers would come and last one day. Then they would return again a week or two later. It wasn’t until December of 2021 when things started to become more serious. Ethan started vomiting when these fevers would come back. He was lethargic, he wouldn’t eat. Again, they would last one day. During one of those days he had a fever and constant vomiting, we went to the urgent clinic because it was early in the morning. He was tested for a possible bacterial infection as well as blood work checking his heart since he was a cardiac patient. The results of his cardiac blood work showed his troponin levels were elevated. He was immediately transported to the Children’s Hospital. Mind you, we had not received the results for the bacterial infection yet.

Once we got to the Children’s Hospital, he was looked at by the cardiologist that was on call. They did their own blood work and did in fact see that his troponin levels were elevated. They also did a BNP, where it showed his heart was in normal range. He was discharged under the assumption it was a viral infection. The vomiting continued along with chest pains. By this point he was weak and his body temperature was cold. We went back to the ER, where he was then admitted into the hospital for further evaluation. Ethan was put on IV fluids due to his severe dehydration. It wasn’t until a couple days later where it was confirmed: Ethan had a bacterial infection that caused Endocarditis. This was a huge shock to our family. The talk about transplant then followed. The plan was to take Ethan home once he recovered on a 24/7 heart failure medication as well as a strong course of antibiotics.

Christmas morning, Ethan’s heart took a turn for the worst. He was immediately listed for transplant, but Ethan needed something to sustain him until he receives his angel heart. Ethan was then intubated and had to go for emergency heart surgery where he was put on a Ventricular Assisted Device. This VAD saved Ethan’s life. He recovered fully and 7 weeks later, he was discharged from the hospital. He is waiting at home for his angel heart. While he waits, he continues to live life the best he can. Ethan never once lost his spirit. He smiled even through the most difficult time of his life. Ethan is incredibly loved by his family and the hearts he’s touched while on this journey. Ethan is the most loving, caring, kind-hearted soul. Our family was hit by the most devastating news when we were told he needed to be transplanted. Seeing my baby sick was the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with.

When we were told about COTA, I was blown away. I cannot thank COTA enough for this amazing organization that helps families get through such an incredibly hard time in our lives.

The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) helps children and young adults who need a life-saving transplant by providing fundraising assistance and family support. COTA is the nation’s only fundraising organization solely dedicated to raising life-saving dollars in honor of transplant-needy children and young adults. 100% of each contribution made to COTA in honor of our patients helps meet transplant-related expenses. COTA’s services are free to our families, and gifts to COTA are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.