When I found out I was pregnant, I felt the kind of joy most women do, the quiet belief that something beautiful had begun. I imagined holding my baby, watching him grow, and living an ordinary life filled with small, precious moments. That sense of safety vanished during my 20-week scan, when doctors told me my son’s heart had multiple, severe defects.
They spoke calmly about risks and statistics, saying an immediate termination would be the “better option.” Even if I carried the pregnancy to term, they warned, my baby would likely die at birth or shortly after. I sat there frozen, listening to words that felt unreal and cruel.
From the very beginning, my decision was clear. No matter what happened, I wanted to give my son his full 100 percent chance. I knew I could not live with myself any other way.
The day Eryk was born passed like a blur. I never got to hold him against my chest, never felt his warmth in my arms. He was so weak that he was intubated immediately and rushed for cardiac catheterization.
Machines breathed for my newborn son while I watched from a distance. Fear and love collided inside me, overwhelming and inseparable. In that moment, motherhood became something far heavier than I had ever imagined.
On the tenth day of his life, my little warrior underwent a complex heart procedure. It is nothing short of a miracle that he survived that surgery. Soon after, doctors finally named the enemy we were facing.
Eryk was diagnosed with HLHS, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, one of the most severe congenital heart defects. It occurs in fewer than 0.05 percent of live births. In children like Eryk, the left side of the heart cannot properly pump oxygen-rich blood through the body.
Doctors then spoke of a second surgery. They told me it would likely be the final one and that my son would not survive it. They gave him only a five percent chance of living.
Five percent echoed in my mind day and night. To them, it sounded like almost nothing. To me, it was still hope.
For the next nine months, hospitals became our home. We moved between specialized wards and clinics, living by the rhythm of monitors and alarms. Doctors repeated to me again and again that each day could be my last with my son.
Eryk suffered in his tiny body, surrounded by tubes and wires. I suffered in silence, waking every morning terrified that I would lose him. Every breath he took felt borrowed.
Then the day of the second surgery arrived. I truly believed those were my final moments with my child. I couldn’t bring myself to say goodbye, because goodbye felt like surrender.
The surgery was incredibly difficult. Problems arose even during intubation, complications that still follow us today. After repeated failed attempts to remove the breathing tube, doctors decided to insert a tracheostomy.
From that moment on, Eryk had to learn how to breathe with the help of a home ventilator. His life depended on machines and constant care. Yet even then, he kept fighting.
New diagnoses continued to appear. High blood pressure and a dangerously narrow artery with clots began blocking his left lung. Each new finding felt like another door closing in front of us.
Gradually, the doctors’ voices changed. Conversations became shorter, colder, and more final. Hope was no longer something they offered.
Eventually, we were given the information in black and white. There was no longer any possibility of further treatment for our child in
Poland. Those words felt heavier than any diagnosis we had received before.
I remember staring at the paper, unable to cry. How could there be no more options for a child who had already survived so much? How could this be the end of his story?
I look at Eryk, and I know his fight is not over. He has already defied expectations from the very beginning. Five percent was never just a number to us.
As long as my son keeps fighting, so will I. I refuse to believe that hope ends here. Because Eryk is still here, and that alone is proof that miracles exist.
Andrew Needs Your Help—A Brave Heart and a Bright Future.3466
Our little boy, Andrew, was born with a heart defect that required urgent attention. From the very first days of his life, he has faced challenges that no child should have to endure. His parents have been committed from the start to ensuring he receives the best possible care, despite the uncertainty and fear that came with his diagnosis.
The surgery to correct Andrew’s heart defect was scheduled for August 17th, a date we had been anticipating with hope and trepidation. While we are grateful to have insurance, the hospital has indicated that the costs could easily exceed $20,000, and we do not yet have a final figure. These expenses, combined with the costs of aftercare, therapy, and follow-up appointments, create a financial burden that is overwhelming for any family.
Andrew’s recovery will not end with the surgery. He will require ongoing care, multiple check-ups, and continuous monitoring to ensure that his heart heals properly. Each appointment is essential to his long-term health and well-being, and the support of our community will make a real difference in helping us provide it.
Despite these challenges, we are determined to do whatever it takes for our little man. Andrew is our world, and every decision we make is centered on giving him the best chance at a healthy and happy life. His resilience and courage inspire everyone around him, and he has already shown incredible strength in facing medical procedures at such a young age.
The surgery itself was a critical milestone, and we are incredibly grateful to report that it went very well. Andrew faced the operation with remarkable bravery, and the surgeons did an amazing job repairing his heart. While his recovery has not been completely pain-free, each passing day brings him closer to regaining his full strength and enjoying the joys of being a child.
Returning home from the hospital has been a significant relief for our family. Being in familiar surroundings helps Andrew feel secure and comfortable as he continues to heal. It also allows us, as his parents, to be fully present with him, providing the love, care, and encouragement he needs during this crucial period.
Even with surgery behind us, the road ahead remains long. Andrew will need continued monitoring from his medical team, physical check-ups, and support to ensure that he continues to thrive. The costs for these services, along with daily living expenses such as food, travel, and lodging near the hospital, add up quickly and are difficult for us to manage alone.
Every contribution, no matter how small, has a meaningful impact on Andrew’s recovery journey. Your support can help cover hospital bills, aftercare, medications, and any equipment or therapy needed to support his healing. It also helps provide practical necessities, such as lodging close to the hospital, transportation, and meals, so we can remain by his side without interruption.
Andrew is already showing signs of strength and determination. He smiles, interacts, and plays in small moments that remind us of his courage and resilience. These moments are precious and show us that, with continued care, he will thrive and live a full, happy life.
Supporting Andrew is not just about medical expenses; it is also about giving him the chance to experience a normal childhood. He deserves to play, laugh, and enjoy the simple joys that every child should have. With your help, we can provide him with stability, comfort, and the resources needed to reach milestones that will benefit him for the rest of his life.
Even small donations or shares can make a significant difference. Spreading awareness about Andrew’s story helps reach more people who can provide support, whether financial or emotional. Every act of kindness strengthens our family and helps ensure that Andrew receives the care he needs.
We want Andrew to grow up healthy, happy, and confident, free from the stress and uncertainty that his condition initially brought into our lives. Your generosity allows us to focus on his recovery, rather than being overwhelmed by financial and logistical challenges. It ensures that he has access to the best possible medical care and the comfort of his parents at every stage.
From the bottom of our hearts, we thank everyone who has supported us so far. Your contributions, prayers, and messages of encouragement have been a lifeline in these difficult weeks. Every donation and every share of Andrew’s story brings hope and reassurance that he is not alone.
Please help Andrew continue his journey toward full health. Your support directly contributes to his care, his recovery, and the chance for him to thrive as the happy little boy he is meant to be. Together, we can give him the bright, healthy, and joyful future he deserves.
Every dollar, every message, and every act of support counts. With your help, Andrew will receive the surgeries, treatments, and care he needs to heal completely. Thank you for standing with us and showing our little man that he is surrounded by love, care, and a community who b
