[ad_1]
It's ironic that Joshua McGivern breaks hearts with each of his big smiles.
The adorable nine-month-old boy from Queensland has only half the heart in his chest.
Zipper scars are the only clue that he has a hypoplastic left heart syndrome, where the left side of the organ has not developed. Every beat is a miracle.
There is no cure, but doctors will try to prolong their life through surgical palliation.
This involves three sets of open-heart operations – Joshua has already fought bravely for two.
Joshua in intensive care
Joshua's smile is now melting hearts. Image: Adam Head
The heart normally has two sides, each with a collection chamber and a pumping chamber. The right side of the heart collects the low oxygen blood that comes back from the body and this blood is pumped to the lungs to collect oxygen. The left side of the heart collects the oxygen-rich blood returned to the heart by the lungs and the pump to the body. The operations are designed to reorganize the plumbing of the heart.
HLHS is just one type of conbad heart defect that is the leading cause of death in babies in Australia.
"The diagnosis was the biggest shock and it is difficult for the mind not to think that one day his heart will give up," said Elaine McGivern's mother. Mail-Mail.
"I had to work through this and learn to enjoy each day." Joshua is a joy.
"He will have his third and last operation when he is four years old.
"It is hoped that medical science will find a cure and that Joshua will live long enough to benefit from any breakthrough.
The last heart scan of Joshua
"I have read cases of people living long after surgeries."
Joshua spent the first 19 weeks of his life fighting at the Queensland Children's Hospital.
"The people of Heartkids, which is a non-government funded charity and whose goal is to improve the lives and future of people with conbad heart disease, are supporting us in this regard. Hospital, "said Ms. McGivern.
"We would have been lost without them."
Eight babies are born every day in Australia with heart problems.
"I can never give up fighting for Joshua, and funding for research is essential," said McGivern.
"I'm going to run the Gold Coast Marathon with three close friends to raise money for Heartkids."
To help Joshua, go to This site.
Source link
