Swaddling Blankets to Honor CHD Baby Lucas

By: Jennifer Weiss

Our son Lucas Hesselbach was born on June 8, 2018, with multiple congenital heart defects. He was diagnosed with hypoplastic left ventricle, double outlet right ventricle, coarctation of the aorta, ASD, mitral valve hypoplasia and mitral atresia. Lucas was also born with Pierre Robin sequence, which includes microcephaly, retrognathia, and micrognathia (small head, chin, and jaw) as well as a cleft palate. This left him with a very small airway. Genetic testing concluded that Lucas also had a rare condition called Kabuki syndrome. He was medically complex, to say the least but perfect in our eyes in every way.�

Lucas had his first heart surgery with Dr. Fiore on June 13, 2018 at only five days old. During this surgery, a band was placed on the pulmonary artery and the coarctation of the aorta was repaired. He had his second surgery with Dr. Lin to correct his jaw on June 21, 2018 at only 13 days old.� The procedure was called a mandibular distraction, and it would help create an airway. Hardware was placed in his jaw to expand his airway by moving his lower jaw forward.

Lucas had many other surgical procedures in the next few months of his life. He had a cardiac catheterization procedure as well as a g-tube placed for feeding. Lucas had already endured so much in this short time. He spent most of his life at Cardinal Glennon in the PICU and TCU. He was scheduled to have open heart surgery at five to six months of age.�

On November 7, 2018, Lucas passed away in his home surrounded by his parents Kurt and Jenny and his older brother Jacob. He was just one day shy of five months old. Lucas touched many lives in his short time here on Earth. His smile was contagious and he was loved by so many.�

This blanket has been donated to the children at Cardinal Glennon in honor of his life. Lucas loved being swaddled and these blankets were the best! The donations to the Noah Foundation in Lucas Hesselbach�s name were used to make these blankets. To read about Lucas�s journey, follow us at oursweetboylucas.wordpress.com.

The Team Noah Foundation would love to hear and share your child�s story! Please email a picture of your child with his/her Team Noah blanket or heart pillow and story to mjohnsonmtb@gmail.com.