Meet Easton, who has been full of surprises since day one

Easton’s parents learned about his complex congenital heart defect while he was still in his mom’s belly. 

And before Easton was born, physicians mapped out a plan to repair his heart a week after his birth. While Easton’s condition was complex — impacting the two main blood vessels leaving his heart and both arteries, among other things — the procedure was routine.   

“And then Easton made his grand arrival on June 13^th, and he said, ‘That's cute that y'all had a plan. I have my own,’” his mom, Lauren said, chuckling.  

Shortly after the family’s arrival at Children’s Health, physicians detected another defect in Easton’s heart, forcing them to pause their earlier plans. Instead, they waited for Easton and his heart to grow stronger ahead of what would be his first heart surgery only a month after he was born. 

The procedure created a hole between the atriums of Easton’s heart, allowing blood flow to mix and improve oxygen levels. 

“That was when we knew that we were with very smart people who knew what they were doing, even if it wasn’t going according to our plan,” Lauren said. 

For the next several months, Easton remained at Children’s Health as his family juggled caring for him and raising his older brother, Charlie, back home — all while their care team worked tirelessly to figure out what was going on with his tiny heart. 

Easton and his family didn’t know how long they’d be at the hospital, but their care team members embraced them as if they were kin and made them feel at home. 

‘Moments of normalcy in an unusual situation’ 

Physicians laid out a three-year timeline for the young patient, at the end of which they would perform a “full repair” on his heart. 

But after getting to know Easton and his heart better, they determined there was a good chance he could receive it once he turned 9 months old. 

In the meantime, the family tapped into nearly all resources available at the hospital that took their minds off what they were going through, even if only for a moment. They snuggled often with the Children’s Health Pet Therapy Program’s dogs, played with music therapists and made frequent use of the therapeutic arts program.  

“They were little moments of normalcy in an unusual situation that provided some much needed relief,” Lauren said. 

Such services are available at no-cost to patients and their families and rely on the philanthropic support from generous donors. 

“Donations helped humanize our time at the hospital,” Lauren said. “They allow for creativity in how families and patients are cared for at Children’s Health.”  

Spending so much time at the hospital, Lauren and Easton’s dad, Peter, also grew close to his care team. 

His parents were in awe at how quickly physicians and care team members could pivot at the drop of a moment. They communicated clearly and moved efficiently, while also caring for the family deeply and with compassion. 

“His care team gave us such peace of mind that our baby is receiving the best possible care with the best possible people who love him as much as we do,” Lauren said. 

Lauren recalls physicians who not only advocated for Easton, but also for her when she arrived at the hospital so soon after giving birth. She fondly remembers how one fought for her and Easton to have a private room at the pediatric intensive care unit to offer the family some privacy to heal from childbirth during their early days at Children’s Health. 

The nurses they met provided welcomed distractions for Easton’s parents, discussing their wedding plans or surprising them with art projects they had done with Easton during the night shift. One even drew a picture of what Easton’s heart looked like for physicians to use as a visual guide when explaining procedures to the family. 

“The coordination of care is unmatched,” Lauren said. “They’re also some of the sweetest and most genuine people we’ve encountered. They are part of our family. Everyone goes above and beyond.” 

Learning how to raise a patient 

With a 4-year-old son at home, Lauren and Peter weren’t new to babies, but they had to learn how to be parents to a baby with congenital heart defects, which involved a different kind of care.  

Children’s Health team members at the Heart Center’s Safe at Home Program helped the family navigate their new world.  

They taught them how to best take care of Easton; what they needed to look out for; and what they didn’t need to worry about. Mostly, they reminded them to be patient. 

Although Easton’s parents were concerned when he didn’t start crawling at 6 months old, for example, their care team said, “Give it some time.” He had been in a hospital bed for half of his life, after all. 

“Helping us manage our expectations was extremely helpful,” Peter said.  

Child Life specialists, who support the entire family unit in coping effectively with hospitalization, ensured Charlie, Easton’s older brother, felt included when possible. They helped coordinate family dinners at the hospital so the siblings could bond and provided guidance on age-appropriate ways to talk about what was happening with his baby brother. 

“Our experience would not have been nearly as positive or successful without the people at Children’s Health,” Lauren said. 

Starting to live life at the fullest 

In March of last year, the impossible became possible as Easton received a full heart repair — and he hasn’t looked back since.  

Easton, now 2 years old, is growing fast and meeting more and more milestones every day. His family held a WubbaNub drive to celebrate his birthday, gathering about 260 of the pacifiers attached to small, plush toys to give back to Children’s Health. The family was inspired after walking into Easton’s room one morning during his early days at the hospital and finding him with a lion WubbaNub, which his nurse was able to give him thanks to donations. 

Easton has an uncanny ability to light up a room by cracking a highly contagious smile or laugh; will gladly turn on the Roomba if he deems the floor needs cleaning; and is very opinionated. 

“Some might say he’s a little stubborn,” Lauren said. “It’s safe to say it’s Easton’s way or the highway.” 

Easton is also mesmerized by his big brother, Charlie, who is his favorite person.  

His parents are looking forward to him living a full, happy and vibrant life.  

After their experience at the hospital, they also hope to instill the joy of giving in both of their children by teaching them that everyone in their family does what they can to make a difference in the world, Lauren said. 

“Children’s Health impacted us so deeply,” she said. “We hope to inspire others to see that and help continue on that impact.” 

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