Carsens Cause

Sheralyn's waters broke at 35 weeks. A scan was performed to check on the size of the baby and a large Intra cardiac mass was found. Sheralyn was sent by air ambulance to Auckland Hospital.

Initially, prognosis was poor with suggestions Carsen would be still born or palliative care would be the only option. The family pushed for a watch and wait approach so that Carsen could be assessed on delivery in his own right. Sheralyn was induced two weeks later and Carsen was born.

He wasn't the sick baby that anyone was expecting. Carsen had an ultrasound in the intensive care unit at a day old and the cardiac team advised that they felt that the tumor was inoperable at that stage due to its location.

Until recently it appeared that the tumor was static and Carsen continued to thrive. However, new MRI imaging along with other tests has shown that the team think the tumor is growing with Carsen's heart.

No one has ever seen anything like this before, it is something very rare. Carsen is now 4 months old and 6.5KG. The MRI has given the cardiac surgeons detailed imaging which means that surgery is now an option. This open heart surgery is being performed in a location of the heart which is not usually operated on due to the risk of damaging key parts of the heart. Without the operation the team advise that Carsen will become very sick and likely not make it due to the obstruction in the heart.

Carsen will be flying to the Starship Hospital within the next couple of weeks for imminent surgery. He has defied the odds so far and has thrived in ways people never expected. Diagnosis is still unknown but believed to be a cardiac fibroma which is very rare and an operation like this has not been performed.

Money raised will be used towards helping support the family while in Auckland financially, travel in and around Auckland, food, Rhys may have to take unpaid leave so to help with bills, general living.

If people cannot afford to donate the family welcomes positive thoughts, a little positive thinking goes a long way!