The Journey of Just Us

Having kids for Jealisia wasn’t something that came easy. After 2 miscarriages, becoming pregnant again was something that brought excitement as well as fear. The fear began after 5 weeks of being pregnant when doctors told her that there was no baby. Doctors could not find a fetal pole or heartbeat during an emergency ultrasound after Jealisia experienced spotting. Doctors were certain she would miscarry once more. The devastation that sank in with Jealisia and her husband was unmatched.

However, week after week, appointment after appointment, it became very clear there was a baby and he was here to stay. Although the knowledge of the baby was, in fact, alive and will be ready for birth, Jealisia was still fearful of the fact that she could still lose this child.

A mother certainly knows, because after 18 weeks of pregnancy her world came crashing down again. Doctors found a heart defect in her baby. They called it Truncus arteriosus. Jealisia was certain that the universe didn’t want her to have a baby. “God must be playing a horrible trick on me,” she said. After having two miscarriages, finding out that she could miscarry for the third time than learning that the baby will be born but in fact will have a serious heart defect, is something that you can’t make up. The agony and depression that would take place by Jealisia and her family was inevitable.

Fast forward to delivery day, Justus had arrived. After a C-section, the family worried that Justus wasn’t going to weigh enough for a successful open-heart surgery. But Justus came out with a roar that told his mother and family all they needed to know about him. He was a fighter and here to stay.

Weighing just over 4 pounds, they knew that he needed to be at least 6 pounds for OHS. But it didn’t seem to be an issue at first because he looked great and his vitals were strong. After learning that his original heart diagnosis wasn’t what it actually was, they were informed that he had a little less severe heart condition in Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) with Pulmonary Atresia. More time can be bought with this condition as he can gain the necessary weight and have a stent placed in the meantime.

All of sudden, after things were looking positive, Justus stopped breathing and quickly began to crash. Being pushed out of the room and having to wait 2 hours to find out if their son will live, doctors were able to get him back to breathing and alive.

6 more weeks go by and Justus has been put through the wringer. With complications from his treatment causing acid reflux, a urinary tract infection, and having to get a blood transfusion, you can imagine that a newborn still alive after this is as tough as they come.

Finally, Justus was able to go home. A sign of joy and encouragement for his family. Attached to him are an oxygen machine and a Nasogastric tube along with a feeding machine. Back home, Mom’s job was nowhere near complete. Having to balance a full-time job to support the house as well as take care of Justus with his treatment and numerous appointments, Jealisia knew this wouldn’t be easy. Thankfully for help from her family, Justus was in great care and Jealisia could feel some relief.

After his 1st surgery 5 months after going home, Justus came out of it stronger than anyone thought. Looking at him now, you wouldn’t even know he had a heart disease unless you saw his scar. Improving every day and having a strong support system behind him, Justus is on his way to a great and fulfilling life. To his mother Jealisia, he will always be her hero.

 This story was written to portray the tough times that parents have to go through with a child that has congenital heart disease. Although Justus showed he never missed a beat and will continue to do so, his mother and family showed great strength as well.