Thank you SickKids

Our Heart Warrior, Emmett was born 14 June 2021. He was critically transferred to SickKids mere hours after birth with Transposition of the Great Arteries with complex coronary anatomy diagnosed postnatally. Emmett underwent his arterial switch procedure and left coronary patch on 18 June. This life saving procedure took 19hrs to complete with three consecutive major heart repairs on bypass. He was on ECMO for six days post op where he suffered from a brain hemorrhage and stroke. He stayed in CCU and 4D for 40 days.

It’s difficult to put into words what this little brave man has gone through in the first months of life. It only takes a few sentences to summarise the medical issues but thinking back on our experience feels like a lifetime of memories and emotions. Every day felt like a battle. Every day could have been the day we fell apart, the day we weren’t strong enough for him. But at SickKids we felt the weight of the world was being lifted off our shoulders. We felt your support, holding us up on our hardest days and not letting us give up. We don’t think we can fully articulate how grateful we are to be a part of the SickKids family.

We know that most of you will be working over the holidays, sacrificing to make a difference in other peoples lives. We want to reassure you that it does make a difference and your kindness will not be forgotten. Your knowledge, dedication and compassion gave our baby boy a fighting chance. Our family has so much gratitude to all of you, for giving our Emmett a better future. We can not thank you enough.

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Emmett is Our Heart Warrior, all of ours.