Little Sammy Braveheart

Tomorrow--May 4th--is Heterotaxy Awareness Day, and similar to Sammy's heart surgery during CHD Awareness Week, he's right on time to promote awareness of his primary diagnosis and the reason for his Ladd procedure tomorrow. Heterotaxy--is literally a "Different Arrangement" of internal organs and a range of accompanying birth defects, including one of the more common ones, intestinal malrotation. The Ladd procedure will untwist his intestines and loosen/divide any abnormal bands (Ladd bands) of tissue contributing to the malrotation. As a bonus, Sammy gets an appendectomy to prevent future misdiagnosis since his appendix is on the left instead of right side. #TheWorksPlease

But my grandson, Sammy, is much, much more than his heterotaxy diagnosis! Just one year ago, before he was even born, a doctor told his mama his condition was "incompatible with nature," but that was old news! Not that long ago few options existed for babies born with more serious forms of heterotaxy. However, not so today! I hope you'll take a minute to meet 7 month old Little Sammy Braveheart (my favorite nickname for him!) Sammy's a bouncer and a snuggler and soft muslin baby blanket lover. He only flashes his big baby blues and broad toothless smile for big brother, Jack...until he sees Mama...then he flashes his big baby blues and broad toothless smile for Mama...until he sees Dada....who always seems to cause his great big cupcake cheeks to erupt in the biggest, widest, brightest, almost one baby tooth grin ever seen. He just plain melts our hearts... and I bet he'll melt yours too. Sammy loves making new friends and you can follow his mama's blog at www.wholeheartedlyblessed.com

#LittleSammyBraveheart