“There’s something wrong with your baby’s heart.” The dreaded words that no parents want to hear after the birth of their child. From Kamloops, baby Cohen was air lifted to BC Children’s Hospital. What followed was a heart journey that would not only define the family's experience throughout Cohen's early years, but continue with the birth of their youngest little boy, Nash.

The day after Cohen was born, his parents Angela and Emery were spending time bonding with their beautiful little boy. After a routine check, their midwife noticed that Cohen was working unusually hard during nursing and his oxygen saturation was off, so Cohen was examined at their local hospital in Kamloops. They discovered Cohen had significant heart issues.

Cohen and Angela were immediately airlifted to BC Children’s Hospital and whisked away to the pediatric intensive care unit. Tests revealed that two of the arteries in Cohen's heart were switched – a critical congenital heart defect.

The tiny newborn was fighting hard to survive, but with his oxygen saturation dropping each day it became harder for him to breathe and he started to turn blue.

He underwent a four-and-a-half-hour surgery, and to Angela’s and Emery’s relief the medical team told them the surgery was a success. Two weeks later they were able to return home to Kamloops.

Pregnant with their next child, Nash, Angela felt signs that something wasn’t quite right. Ultrasounds confirmed that she needed specialized clinical care, and eventually Angela was diagnosed with polyhydramnios, an excessive buildup of amniotic fluid.

Nash was born with a condition called VACTERL association, which included birth defects that affected his heart, kidneys, spine and other parts of his body. The newborn stayed in the neonatal intensive care unit for the next 10 weeks and underwent three major surgeries, as well as numerous other procedures.

At the heart of it all

At only 15 months old, Nash had open heart surgery to repair a hole in his heart. The surgery went well, and the family was able to come home a couple of weeks later.

When you look at photos of Cohen and Nash today, you wouldn’t know what they had been through in their first moments of life. Nash is a vibrant 4-year-old who is full of life and smiles, and Cohen is a smart, charismatic and energetic 7-year-old. Both boys love to wrestle and play sports with their older brother, Quinn. Cohen’s and Nash’s heart journeys will be life-long, and they will be supported by cardiology specialists at BC Children’s for years to come.

“Life with two children diagnosed with congenital heart disease has been overwhelming and stressful,” Angela said. “Luckily, we’ve been able to see the silver lining to our journey. We have a greater appreciation for life and our outlook and priorities have shifted, reminding us to slow down and appreciate the ‘little things’ a lot more.”

“Without BC Children's hospital and their expert care, we would not have two of our beautiful boys with us here today.” says Angela, Cohen & Nash's Mom.