Myles Christopher McDaniel was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), a birth defect that affects normal blood flow through the heart. Because a baby with this defect needs surgery or other procedures soon after birth, HLHS is considered a critical congenital heart defect.
Every year about 1 out of every 3,841 babies born in the United States is born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Myles will need to undergo a series of 3 open heart surgeries over the first 5 years of his life, to increase blood flow to the body and bypass the poorly functioning left side of the heart. These surgeries do not cure hypoplastic left heart syndrome but help restore heart function. Infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome may have lifelong complications. If the HLHS is very complex, or the heart becomes weak after the surgeries, a heart transplant may be needed.
For the vast majority of our families, once they leave us their lifelong journey truly begins. Their child will most probably need treatment and care for the remainder of their lives, greatly affecting the entire family emotionally, spiritually, physically and financially. As I see the families who come to us in the midst of such anguish and fear I am reminded of WHY we are doing what we do. If we can make their short time with us as comfortable, loving and stress-free as possible, then we will have truly done our jobs well.