Catch Up

To start, and this is Steve writing by the way, I'd like to apologize to anyone that has not been kept up to date up to this point. And I realize this is most everyone. This blog should help. As we move through the next month I will post regular updates.

Baby Henry will be born the morning of September 26th around 10:00 AM PST. He will be delivered by Dr. Gumm by C-Section at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital in Los Angeles.

Baby Henry has a heart defect that was discovered during a routine ultrasound in mid-May. Describing the heart defect gets pretty technical pretty fast. In short, the left side of Henry's heart is underdeveloped.

Aside from this diagnosis Shanna's pregnancy has been relatively normal. Baby Henry is in good shape as Shanna's heart has been helping Henry out. Aside from his heart Henry has been developing as any normal baby would.

On the 26th, after Henry is born, he will be taken to Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles. This hospital is adjacent to Hollywood Presbyterian and it has one of the best pediatric cardiac units in the country. After transport to CHLA Henry's heart will be examined by a team of doctors and he will be prepared for surgery. The operation will be performed the morning of September 29th by Dr. Starnes. Most likely Dr. Starnes will perform the Norwood procedure (for those that would like to learn more).

We expect Henry to be in the hospital for 2-3 weeks after his surgery.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. We will keep you posted.

Steve and Shanna.