It can’t be easy to have your first open-heart surgery before you’re even one month old, but according to Nicholas’s doctors the kid “didn’t get the memo” about being upset about it.
“He is amazing,” says mom Christina about her “little miracle.” When pregnant, Christina and husband Robert learned that Nicholas had multiple congenital heart defects and would require multiple surgeries once born. This first surgery took place in January 2015, but, while successful, it took its toll on the little patient. He went into cardiac arrest and had to be placed on life support.
Today, Nicholas can be seen following his mom around with his walker smiling like any happy baby would. Christina, who is currently on leave without pay, needs to monitor her son’s weight and oxygen on a daily basis and takes him to regular cardiologist visits. Unfortunately, not every specialist accepts the family’s insurance, and the hospital bills are adding up.
A second major surgery is coming soon. As Nicholas has grown, his central shunt placement has pushed its way out of his heart. Christina and Robert are hopeful that their son will continue to improve. In the meantime, Nicholas keeps smiling ignoring “the memo” that he should be any other way.
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