Josiah’s Story

Site created on June 4, 2023

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.

In May of 2021, Josiah was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy. His left ventricle, the last ventricle that pumps blood to the rest of the body, is very enlarged and not pumping properly.

It has been like this for a very long time, but the symptoms were infrequent and looked very similar to asthma, which he also has. We have since done genetic testing, and he has a gene that they have linked to dilated cardiomyopathy. However, they don’t yet know how it gets triggered.

Over the last two years, the doctors have tried everything they could to try and help the heart repair itself. Unfortunately, nothing has changed.

And because Josiah is not severely ill, nor in the condition he needs to be to recover from a heart transplant, the decision to do an intermediate step has been made.

On July 11, Lord-willing, Josiah will have surgery to implant a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) in his heart to help the blood pump through better. The goal is to help him become more stable until he is ready for a heart transplant.

We will share updates here for simplicity. Prayers are appreciated. We are truly grateful for all of your support!

Newest Update

January 10, 2024–Update on Baby Shai

Journal entry by Kim Lee —

Shai has made Seattle Children's Hospital history!! The 1st patient to be explanted (Berlin Heart Pump removed) because her own heart healed! She is already sitting up. Please keep her in your prayers as she continues to heal. ❤️
Read More of the journal titled "January 10, 2024–Update on Baby Shai"
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