HLHS

Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) is a condition in which the left side of the heart is underdeveloped. Usually, the left ventricle, the left atrium, the mitral valve and the aorta are affected. It is called a syndrome because it can encompass several different variations and varying degrees of development of these parts of the heart.


Ethan's cardiologist is Dr. Jason Su, at Primary Children's Medical Center; he is a terrific Dr and person, and was so instrumental to understanding and coping with Ethan's diagnosis of Tetrology of Fallot. Dr. Su is also Gracie Gledhill's cardiologist, we ran into Gracie and her Mom last August during Ethan's check up, I was able to "see" this baby I had been keeping up with via blog. Gracie was born with HLHS, this is the most severe of the 35 congenital heart defects, and is very hard to sustain long term.

Gracie lost her battle with HLHS on Monday. She was able to have a heart transplant after being on the donor list only 3 day's, but that heart didn't "take" and she came out of that surgery on life support and her little body was just too tired.

I believe this little family will be together again. Elder Russell M. Nelson:

"Parents who have surrendered the sweetest and smallest flowers from the family's garden need to remember our Heavenly Father. He has promised a special reward to those who now suffer in silence, who spend long days and longer nights through their trying times of bereavement. Our Creator has promised glory. He said, "For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but nigh at hand." (D&C 58:4) That promised glory includes the blessing of reunion with each child who has left the family circle to help surviving members of the family to draw nearer to God. Those children still live and are a heritage to the Lord."

Our prayers are with her family.

If you are so interested, www.thegledhillfamily.blogspot.com