Hi, my name is Laurel Perkins, and after ten long years of infertility, my husband James and I are expecting our first child — a miracle we’ve prayed and hoped for more than words can describe.
This joyful journey has taken an unexpected turn at our anatomy scan when the doctor couldn’t get a clear image of our baby’s heart. This led us to go see a pediatric cardiologist who looked further into our case.
Our baby girl has been diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) — a rare and serious congenital heart defect. This means she will be born with the left side of her heart severely underdeveloped, and she will need multiple life-saving surgeries starting just days after birth. As you can imagine, this has been shocking and overwhelming.
After giving birth, our baby girl will be transferred to a different hospital than me, with James going with her until I’m able to be discharged. This is just one of many parts that we’ve been told that is incredibly difficult to come to terms with.
Doctors have told us that her first year of life will be incredibly challenging — emotionally, physically, and financially. She will likely spend weeks or months in the hospital, and one of us will need to be by her side full-time. We will be traveling to Omaha, NE for care a place where we have no family or friends. Our hope is we can be each other’s support while being there for our daughter during this time.
We are setting up this fundraiser to help cover the overwhelming costs that come with her care,— including travel to specialists, hospital stays, time off work, and ongoing medical needs we haven’t even fully realized yet.
If you are able, please consider donating to help us give our daughter the best possible start in life. And if you can’t give right now, please consider sharing our story and praying for us. Every bit of kindness and support helps more than you know.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for standing with us during this uncertain but hopeful time. We are able to remain hopeful in the Lord and his goodness during uncharted, difficult times and for that we are blessed. We are never truly alone and we will keep praying for our daughter and her heart as well as other families who are experiencing similar trials. Thank you and may the Lord bless you and your family.
