Background Story

Early Friday, April 13, 2012, sweet baby Ryland was rushed to the hospital after Robin noticed he was feeling clamy and had been restless all throughout the night. The myths of Friday the 13th bad luck definitely seem to fit this day in our life.After a very scary ambulance ride to Carolina East Medical Center, they determined Ryland needed to be transported to Pitt for a possible infection or cardiac related problem. After stabilizing him, Ryland and Robin took their first flight together, via chopper, to get him to a facility capable of handling his serious condition. After a long day of tears, fears and exhaustion, the doctors confirmed that Ryland has two significant heart defects. He has a hole in his heart as well as an interrupted aortic arch. It is very very rare to see both defects in one baby, so the doctors decided he will need to go to Duke for surgery. They believe this is a direct result of a condition Robin had while pregnant called single umbilical artery. We knew there could be a chance that Ryland may have some complications, but he was perfect and healthy when he was born on April 2. So It came as quite a shock when this drastic turn of events almost took our little boy from us. Please keep Ryland, his doctors and our family in your prayers as we move through this difficult and scary turn of events.We love you all.

Originally posted on CaringBridge.org, April 14, 2012