Zachary Daniel Mundo: CHD Awareness

Zachary Daniel Mundo was born on July 4th, 2015, weighing 7lbs 4oz,just perfect. However, Zachary was facing the odds of survival that many babies do not beat. At 22 weeks gestation he was diagnosed with arareheart defect - Pulmonary Atresia with Intact Ventricular Septum (a form of Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome or HRHS). As two new parents, we were devastated. But we decided to take this incredible journey with him, and take it one day at a time. Months went by, full of doctor visits and ultrasounds. Zachary was finally here, and doctors put his plan into action. He received open heart surgery at only 4 days old. Doctors placed a BT shunt in his heart to improve the blood flow on the underdeveloped side of his heart. Without this first step surgery, sustaining life was not possible.He returned from surgery looking just as perfect as when he was born,with an additional Heart Warrior scar on his chest, which he will grow to be proud of andshow when he tells his story. Hespent his first month oflife in recovery at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and did phenomenal.The plan going forward is for Zachary to have 2 more planned open heart surgeries in the coming months.