Tymek is to be born in a few days. His parents, Asia and Mateusz, are very afraid of it. Your baby has a rare heart defect that will require life-saving surgery. The prognosis is good, but Tymek may not get a chance – there is no money for his treatment.
- Asia is in her second pregnancy. Before the examination in the 20th week, she had no idea that Tymek could be sick
- In week 23, Tymek’s heart was the size of a walnut. Doctors had to perform surgery on him
- Another operation is due after the boy is born. Then three more
- Read the first part of the interview with Joanna Węgrzyn, Tymek’s mother
- More current information can be found on the Onet homepage.
In the 23rd week, Tymek had a heart ballooning procedure. It must have been terrible for you.
Yes, I was very scared because of course there is a risk. It is enough to miss or pierce the wrong way. And Tymek was given muscle relaxants, which certainly did not affect him well. But the procedure was successful, at least technically. I know people who have improved contractility after ballooning. Maybe not somehow spectacular, but at least a little. I was sure that it would be the same with Tymek, but unfortunately it did not happen. I saw too much hope in this procedure.
Then it turned out that the left ventricle began to shrink. In some children it disappears completely, fortunately Tymek still has it. But safety will end after childbirth when his body has to start working on its own. We recently had HLHS, a left ventricular underdevelopment syndrome caused by aortic stenosis, the primary diagnosis. It is a serious threat to your life right after giving birth. Classically with this syndrome, it is the doctor who decides the date of the first of the three operations. It can be on day 2 or even after two weeks. In the case of Tymek, however, it is first necessary to undergo a life-saving procedure.
This is some kind of bad news. You heard something wrong with each subsequent test.
This is true, although I try to stick to more of the good news. The doctor performing echoes of the heart Tymek said that the condition of the aorta had improved, making it easier to perform this first elective surgery. And this is due to the ballooning procedure.
How much time do you have before Tymek appears in the world?
So far I have conflicting information. Specialists from Krakow say that in the case of a heart defect, Tymek is 3-4 weeks behind in terms of development, so the delivery should take place as late as possible. As a result, the tissues will be harder and the baby will be bigger and stronger. Others, on the other hand, believe that a Caesarean section at 38 weeks is a better solution. And I try not to think about it. I hope the experts will make the best decision.
I’m already at the beginning of the ninth month. We have practically a week left to pack our things. We have to report for the first tests on May 6, maybe the first decisions will be made then. Much depends on Tymek. Apparently, at this stage nothing should be changed in its structure, but no one will predict what will happen after the birth.
Tymek will have to have surgery in days. How can you help?
First of all, by publicizing the collection. We already lack funds for the first operation, right after the delivery. We still need 190 thousand. PLN for Tymek to have a chance for a normal life. This is a specific collection. Rarely does someone ask for help for a baby that is still in the belly. That is why it is difficult and we have less and less time.
We have tremendous support from family, friends and acquaintances. I am also contacted by people who I did not expect it from. Maybe it’s the hormones, but it touches me a lot. Of course we need money, but this great warmth and kindness helps me hold on and gives me hope. The problem is, we need thousands of people for the operation to be performed. It’s not about depositing large sums. If everyone helps us a little bit, we can collect this sum.
We chose two names for him. Timothy and Simon. “He who honors God” and “God listened”. And I believe it will be so.
What are the chances that the operations will be successful? And what will Tymek’s life be like then?
She will probably live with one ventricle. There have been cases where both were saved, but very few. Although, of course, I believe that Tymek will succeed. I met a 30-year-old girl who has undergone all three treatments and lives with one ventricle. She gives me hope – she lives a normal life, writes poetry, passed her high school diploma. He cannot play sports professionally, is under the care of a cardiologist, but otherwise leads a normal life. This is 80 percent. cases. Only 20 percent. the operation does not give such good results.
If everything goes well with us, Tymek will be able to play with Maks in 3,5 or 4 years. At first, we will face a lot of separation and stays in hospitals, but after these few years my vision can really come true.
You can help Tymek through a fundraiser here.
So the statistics are on Tymek’s side and the only thing missing is money?
In fact, yes. And time is not in our favor. There is a lot of work to do before you leave. Tests, formalities, documents. And at the same time, little Maks by his side. We have little time and energy to devote ourselves to publicizing the fundraiser. We need the help of good people – we have no chance without it. Unfortunately, our disadvantage is one of the more expensive ones. I don’t mean to say that hope is the mother of stupid people, but I think it will work. It will cost you a lot of stress and effort, but I believe it will be fine. Maybe even very well. And even if it gets bad, I believe we will have the strength to endure it together.
Also read:
- The female reproductive age has increased by two years. This could have health implications
- From the “little stranger” to the fetus. How did doctors manage to “see” under the skin of mothers?
- Help for parents of disabled children? “My son is 30 today, and during that time I could only count on myself”
- “If I had known how seriously ill my child would be, I would not have made up my mind to give birth to him”. Hospice doctor: yes, I sometimes hear these words
- In vitro fertilization causes more and more multiple pregnancies. Soon the world will be flooded with twins?
The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.