Hunter's Story
Proud father, Shane Darnell, poses for a picture with Hunter.
Veteran’s Day 2008, during our 20 weeks ultrasound came the devastating news of our second son’s rare heart condition known as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). We learned that he would need three major open-heart surgeries: The Norwood, The Glenn and The Fontan. Hunter arrived in the world six weeks early on February 20, 2009. After spending six days in the NICU he was taken for his first open heart surgery known as a “hybrid.” Being premature, Hunter was not able to have the Norwood surgery until later. The “hybrid” would give Hunter time to grow
bigger until he was ready for the Norwood.
This time they opened his chest and released and adjusted one of the bands that were placed on his Left Pulmonary Artery during the hybrid. The conclusion was that the band was too tight and not allowing enough blood to flow. After a total of four weeks in the NICU we finally had our baby and were headed home.
bigger until he was ready for the Norwood.
This time they opened his chest and released and adjusted one of the bands that were placed on his Left Pulmonary Artery during the hybrid. The conclusion was that the band was too tight and not allowing enough blood to flow. After a total of four weeks in the NICU we finally had our baby and were headed home.
 Hunter and his mom, Tracy, sharing a moment after surgery. | Three months home and back to the hospital for Hunter to have the Norwood/Glenn surgeries combined. June 11, 2009 was filled with mixed emotions. We started the day at 6:00am by handing our son back to Dr. Ilbawi. After his seven hour surgery, two extra hours to stabilize him, and a fourth chest tube inserted for drainage we were finally able to see him. The day became the longest day for Hunter and truly showed what a fighter he is.
Four hours out of surgery and much communication between doctors and nurses the ER/OR team was called into Hunter’s room and his wing of the hospital was closed down because he was internally bleeding and they had to go back in through his chest to find the bleeders to save his life. After five long weeks of many ups and downs we were finally sent home. |
During a routine heart echo at 11 months of age, we were thrown another curve ball. His cardiologist looked at us and said that he had not been able to see his left pulmonary artery (LPA) and he needed a CT scan. We prayed for his LPA to be hidden behind another organ, however we weren’t so lucky. His aorta had become so enlarged that it was crushing his LPA and he needed yet another surgery to correct this issue. As of July 18th, 2011, Hunter qualified for the Fontan surgery. The surgery resulted in major complications which resulted in a whole new battle for the Darnell Family. |  Hunter and his big brother Kenton spending some quality time together after the Fontan surgery. |
"We are so blessed to have such a strong little boy to call our son. Hunter has taught us to cherish everyday and to enjoy all the little things in life. Each day is a journey and although we don’t know what the future holds for us, we love the journey we are so blessed to enjoy with Hunter and the rest of our family."
~Tracy Darnell
~Tracy Darnell
