Meet Julian Helton

Julian was born August 28th 2020 with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). It is a rare congenital heart defect when the left side of the heart is extremely underdeveloped. We found out about his condition around 16 weeks at a 3D genetic sonogram.

We were given a couple of options at that point but chose to stand on God’s promises and give Julian a shot at life. We explored and researched, ended up being referred to Johns Hopkins but ended up self referring to CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia).

Children with this condition usually need three open heart surgeries as they grow. Julian has had three so far, awaiting his fourth. Three surgeries are called The Norwood, Glenn and Fontan. Julian has had the Norwood and Glenn procedures. He was inpatient 40 plus days the first two surgeries. Julian also got a bad summer cold and went in to heart failure. We went through all of the testing and requirements to have him listed on the transplant list but God showed up and improved his heart function and he was never listed. 

In between then and now Julian had a third procedure  to repair a leaking valve. (9 days inpatient) His fourth and hopefully final Fontan surgery as a child will be this summer sometime in July or August. We will be up in Philly with him as we have been for all three of his procedures. That means taking time off of work staying in Hotels or Airbnb’s , whatever we can find. We will do anything for Julian and of course our oldest son Nash. People have been so gracious to us since he was born. We appreciate everyone’s help and prayers up to this point and in the future. We wouldn’t be at this point with out each and everyone of y’all.

With Love
The Helton’s