Aiden Robert Baczynski was born on 3/5/26 at 34 weeks with his twin brother Ethan. They were early because of growth restriction to Ethan and him not showing meaningful growth inside. Ethan was 1lb 13oz and Aiden was 4lbs 5oz, and after a brief introduction to mom and dad they were whisked off to the NICU. Both boys did well and moved to the step down unit after 11 days. 

We thought everyone was doing well and we would be home in no time. Then Aiden had a repeat echo that discovered he had severe mitral valve stenosis. It was not seen in utero or on his first scan after birth but it was bad and causing fluid to back up into his lungs. 

On 5/7/26 Aiden had open heart surgery at only 9 weeks old to fix the defect. Surgery was very long and did not go as planned. The valve was more malformed than any of the pictures let on and multi tries had to take place. He also ended up with liver damage due to the fluid overload crushing it. He came out of surgery on ECMO and that first night it was not clear he would make it. It was the most terrified we have ever been. 

Aiden has slowly made progress each day but with a twin at home we can’t work, take care of the twin and be at home the hospital for Aiden. We are stretched thin and finances are always a concern but there is no place we would rather be.