Zoe Moffatt
The hours following childbirth are usually filled with flowers, joy, newborn cuddles and family introductions. For one Sunbury family this reality collapsed around them after 18 hours, when their son was diagnosed with a combination of four congenital heart defects known as Tetralogy of Fallot.
First time parents Jamie-Lee and Luke Monk had a textbook perfect pregnancy, and said the news came as a shock.
“Our paediatrician discovered the heart murmur in his routine checks” Ms Monk said.
“We were told that morning that [our son] Laykin would require open-heart surgery at six months old because of the complexity of his congenital heart disease.
“We had gone from the excitement of bringing our beautiful boy into the world to, asking is he going to survive?”
This late diagnosis tremendously impacted the Monk family, and led them to avoid leaving the house, joining a mothers’ group or participating in normal new parent activities to ensure they kept Laykin safe from germs.
Laykin underwent an eight hour open-heart operation in 2017, and had to stay in the paediatric intensive care unit for nine days due to complications.
The Monk family said it was one of the hardest times of their lives.
“Laykin’s recovery went smoothly after that and nothing has held him back since,” Ms Monk said.
“He excels at school, in sports and everyone that meets him agrees he is really one of a kind… Although we cannot rule out no other surgeries in the future, his future is looking so bright.
“He teaches others about the magic of being a ‘lion heart’ and is proud of his heart journey, as are his entire family.
“We call him our superhero, and he is exactly that.”
While the Monk’s story is unique, it is sadly one that many Australian families face, with eight children born with a heart defect every day. This means one family’s life will change forever every three hours.
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a lifelong condition with no known cure, and many children require ongoing treatment throughout their lives, including open-heart surgeries.
The Monk family and HeartKids are calling for Australians to channel their inner superhero and support kids living with CHD by participating in the annual Hero for HeartKids fundraiser on Friday, June 16.
The event is an opportunity for individuals, corporates, and community groups to dress up as their favourite superhero to raise awareness for children and families who have been impacted by CHD.
Throughout June, Australians are encouraged to fundraise and support HeartKids through; hosting a morning tea, donating a gold coin, organising a trivia lunch, or challenge themselves with personal goals like walking 8000 steps a day.
HeartKids corporate sponsors will also host a variety of special events to help raise money and awareness including: Supercheap Auto stores across Australia, TreeTops Adventures and CostumeBox.
Details: www.hero4heartkids.org.au/
