This page was started for Harper Daniel before his birth as a way to keep our friends and family updated on his birth and health. Since his passing January 18, 2016, we have formed a non-profit foundation in his memory. We hope to help other families at MUSC while their babies are inpatient by providing meals, helping brighten their stay, and providing a once yearly grant to a nursing student goin
g into the field of Pediatric Cardiology. Please join us as we honor Harper's memory and all those who loved him so by helping other heart families. Harper's Story~
Harper was born 9/11/15 (37 weeks, 2 days gestation) by cesarean, weighing only 3lbs 8 oz and 17 inches long. Thank you for joining us on this journey and fight for our little Harper, who has been diagnosed as having VACTERL Association. The first hint of any problems for Harper began as early as his 12 week ultrasound; he had a single umbilical artery (most babies have 2 arteries and one vein, he only had one artery and one vein) and this caused IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction) causing him to not grow very large. His genetic anomalies include a coarctation of the aorta (the aorta arches inferiorly to restrict blood flow), smaller than normal left ventricle, VSD (Ventricle Septal Defect) which is a hole in the wall that separates the heart's lower chambers (septum) and allows blood to pass from the left to the right side of the heart and a PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus is a persistent opening between two major blood vessels leading from the heart)-which has also causes him to have pulmonary hypertension. He also has only one working kidney (his right) with a reflux of urine. He had his first surgery at only 3 days old to create an ostomy due to also being born with an imperforate a**s. He did well, and will have the reversal done once his heart is corrected, and he reaches 15lbs. This allowed him to begin taking breast milk. He spent 31 days in the NICU, and came home on oxygen, antibiotics and heart meds. We covet your prayers and support as he faces a long road, as the doctors called it "A marathon, not a sprint." We know things will be hectic and busy, so we wanted to have an easy way to keep everyone updated. Please feel free to share with your friends who would like to pray for Beka and Harper!! Thank you for supporting us!! (Admin-Rhonda, Beka's mom and Harper's Nana)
