Trusten’s New Heart
Recently ABC Financial was able to take part in a program to assist patients in need at Arkansas Childrenâs Hospital. See how we were able to help make a difference in one childâs life.
Original article by Arkansas Childrenâs Hospital:
âHis heart is failing.â
These four scary words changed Holly and Jon Hamiltonâs lives forever. Their baby son Trusten, whoâd just celebrated his first birthday a few weeks before Christmas, was in serious trouble.
Turning one was a huge milestone for little Trusten. He was born December 14, 2012, with a condition called hypoplastic left heart syndrome, or in simpler terms, half a heart. The following October, when Trusten was about 10 months old, he had two surgeries to repair the damaged organ. By November, he was home, recovering well. Holly and Jon were gearing up to celebrate Trustenâs first-ever holiday season at home with their other three children. They had a lot to be thankful for.
Then, a few days before Christmas, Trusten started to cough.
Trustenâs parents contacted his cardiologist at Arkansas Childrenâs Hospital, who said, âBring him in immediately.â His doctor ran some tests, but Holly and Jon werenât overly concerned. They thought since he was growing so much, maybe he just needed his medication increased.
They were completely unprepared for those four life-changing words.
Trusten was immediately admitted to ACH, but according to Holly, he didnât seem sick.
Other than the cough, he was acting like a healthy 1 year old. But then, suddenly, Trusten took a turn for the worse. Holly reflects on those days: âIt was horrible. One minute Trusten was eating breakfast. The next, he was completely unresponsive. We didnât know if heâd ever wake up again.â
Holly and Jon had known their son would probably need a heart transplant someday, but they were shocked to learn he wouldnât go home this time without a new heart. âItâs such a difficult thing. We were waiting for someone else to lose a child so ours could be saved,â says Holly. âHow do you hope for something like that?â
Holly says she and Jon relied on their faith and âthe good people at ACHâ to get them through these dark days. One of the worst days was when their insurance company indicated they wouldnât cover the heart transplant. Holly and Jon were at a loss. Where would they go? What would they do? Their son would die without his new heart.
This is where you come in.
Their ACH financial advisor assured them they didnât have to worry about it. Holly says, âLike an angel, our advisor said, âDonât fret about this. So many people give money to pay for treatment for children whose families canât afford it. Trusten wonât be turned down for his new heart.ââ
Your support gave Holly and Jon peace of mind so they could focus on what was most
important â their son.
Holly vividly remembers February 1st, 2013âŠthe day the news came. Trustenâs grandma was keeping him company at ACH while Holly and Jon got ready for their first âdate nightâ together in months. Holly says, âI was in the shower, getting ready to go out. And we got the call.â
Trustenâs heart was ready.
Holly and Jon agonized throughout the 10-hour surgery, but they said the ACH staff was wonderful. âThey explained everything and kept us informed through the whole thing,â says Holly. âIt was bittersweet,â she remembers. âAnother family had to lose a child so my baby could live. But Trusten got his heart.â
Trustenâs surgery went without a hitch. His doctors told Holly and Jon their sonâs new heart fit perfectly and was one of the best matches theyâd ever seen. And less than 10 days after his surgery, this amazing kid was released to go home!
Trustenâs recovery has gone as well as his parents could have hoped. He hasnât had any setbacks and his body continues to accept the heart without any complications. Holly and Jon are so very grateful to Arkansas Childrenâs Hospital â and to you.
âWe are taking every moment, day by day,â says Holly. âEnjoying every minute with our son. Before his new heart, he couldnât play without turning blue from lack of oxygen. Now he has no limits! It makes me so happy to see him like thisâŠso happy.â
Holly wanted to share these thoughts with those of you who support Arkansas Childrenâs Hospital: âThere are no words to express the gratitude in my heart. I wish I could thank each and every one of you in person. ACH is such an awesome resource. Itâs a blessing we all share.â
âThe money you give saved my son,â she says.