2yrs old and heading in for his 3rd open heart surgery

Meet my first and only grandbaby. His name is Maverick and he was born with a heart condition known as HLHS, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. He's such a great kid, I hate that he has go through this.

Please check out his story below.


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In 2018, high school sweet hearts Caitlin and Dustin were over joyed to find out they were finally expecting their Miracle Baby. Little did they know how big of a Miracle Maverick would be.

Their lives changed forever at their 20-week ultrasound when they were told that the pictures weren't showing each part of Maverick's heart, they would need further testing and were referred to University of Michigan Ann Arbor Mott's Children's Hospital where they would have many appointments the following weeks for more imaging and to meet with a Pediatric Cardiologist.

Soon after, at 26 weeks pregnant, they received heartbreaking news, something parents never want to hear regarding their unborn baby. Doctors diagnosed Maverick with HLHS, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. A complex and rare heart defect where the left side of the heart is critically underdeveloped.

Since this diagnosis, Caitlin and Dustin have had to make frequent trips to Ann Arbor, leading up to the delivery of Maverick for doctor appointments and for most of his follow up appointments since he was born. Maverick was born February 28th 2019 and at just 4 days old, Mav went in for his first of three open-heart surgeries: the Norwood procedure, which went flawlessly thanks to the skilled surgeons at Motts. Maverick went through his 2nd open heart surgery August 20th 2019 the Glenn/ Hemi-Fontan that was also a success and set him up to grow, so he could eventually have his final procedure. Maverick is scheduled to have his third and hopefully final open heart surgery to rebuild his heart: the Fontan July 13th 2021. After the fontan Mighty Mav will always have routine cardiology appointments, medications, heart caths and the possibility of the need for a heart transplant when he's older.

Caitlin and Dustin have bought their forever home, had Maverick, gotten married and made it through this very hard journey of living in a global pandemic with an immunocompromised child while working full time jobs- Dustin at Michigan Pallet and Caitlin a Domestic Violence advocate at a Safe Center. All while trying to balance a somewhat normal life for their sweet 2 year old little heart warrior. Even with Insurance, the medical bills have been astronomical, along with the seemingly endless travels back and forth to Ann Arbor for appointments in between surgeries and hospital stays.

My hope is that our communities will come together to help take some of the financial burden and worry away from Caitlin and Dustin, so all they have to focus on these next few months is Mending Mighty Mav.

Thank you for taking the time to read about our Mighty Mav! Every dollar, every share and Every Prayer helps ❤


Now I ask a favor of you my HIVE family.

If you could make a financial contribution it would be greatly appreciated. GoFundMe link here.

Can't donate, then could you at least share this post? It costs you nothing and is just a simple click.

I'll have more updates as soon as he gets out of surgery. First we are having a benefit for him at a local hall that was donated. If all goes as planned it will be a car/truck/bike show with a spaghetti dinner afterwards. The family and community have been helping immensely but the bills keep coming. Please keep our family in your thoughts these next few weeks.

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