Lincoln Clay Shockey

 

Our son Lincoln was born on April 26, 2015 after a very eventful pregnancy.  At 24 weeks, we found Lincoln’s CHD, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, after I developed a placental abruption and a multitude of other complications which put me onto hospital bedrest for the duration of the pregnancy.  He was delivered in Louisville, as scheduled, but was so sick he was air lifted to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia at less than 24 hours old.  On his 5th day of life, the first day we were able to hold him, he was taken back for the first of three palliative open heart surgeries in order to survive.  He would go on to have his second surgery at 4 months old, and his third at 2 years old.  He has had countless MRI’s, echo’s, sedations, heart cath’s, hospital stays, and the slightest illness could mean life or death.  Although he is healthy as he can be for his condition, one complication could mean our last resort option…a heart transplant.  Lincoln has taught us that no battle is too tough to fight, and he is the reason I advocate passionately for CHD’s.  Medical advances have come so far in just a few short years, but there is so much more that needs to be done for these precious warriors who are born having to fight for their lives, for the rest of their lives.  Lincoln lives in Kentucky (although we’ll always call Philly our second home), with his parents, and 4 older brothers.