Every milestone should be celebrated. This year Oliver (Ollie to this family) celebrated an anniversary during his journey with a congenital heart defect. Learn more about Ollie’s story.

The Diagnosis

Three days after Ollie was born, he ended up in the ER after the midwife revealed he had low oxygen levels. He was soon transferred to the local children’s hospital after a heart murmur was detected. The next day, the family was informed that Ollie had hypoplastic left jeart syndrome (HLHS). Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a congenital heart defect that affects normal blood flow through the heart. As the baby develops during pregnancy, the left side of the heart does not form correctly. 

Celebrating Ollie

Oliver and his family came together to celebrate the one-year anniversary of his second open-heart surgery. This year was special because the family was able to be together, no longer separated by Ollie still being in the hospital.

Living with a CHD

While there isn’t a cure, there is a three-stage surgery process that is designed to optimize the heart as much as possible. Ollie had his first open-heart surgery when he was only 9 days old, followed by eight weeks in the hospital. That stay included undergoing another chest clean out surgery, g-tube placement, and a stent before he was able to go home. Ollie’s family was only home together for a month before he needed his second open-heart surgery.

Since his last surgery, Ollie has begun to thrive. He does physical, occupational, and speech therapies to catch up on his milestones. As you can see, he’s loving food now that his g-tube has been removed! While Ollie will need to have another surgery within a few years, his family is enjoying watching him grow and develop at home. 

Ollie’s family shared how Icing Smiles helped make an impact for them:

“Having this cake to share made the day extra special for us!”

Support for Other with CHDs

Congenital heart defects are the No. 1 birth defect in the United States. Little Heart Warriors is a nonprofit organization that was created by a group of mothers with children with severe congenital heart defects (CHD). They created it in an effort to support, educate, and raise funds and awareness for families affected by CHDs.

Icing Smiles continues to help with bringing happiness to families with children who have suffered from a variety of illnesses.