On the morning of August 11, 2021, we received the devastating news that our unborn son had a rare congenital heart defect known as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)—meaning the left side of his heart was critically underdeveloped. Thus began our journey with Children’s Wisconsin, navigating our little boy’s diagnosis and preparing for his arrival.
Henry Robert Ross was born at 9:45 PM on Tuesday, November 23, 2021, at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee. He was a sweet and resilient little boy whose contagious smile lit up the room. Some of Henry’s favorite things included watching his crib mobile, interactive therapy sessions, flirting with his nurses, and rocking or movement of any kind. He loved when family members would sing, read stories, and give him head rubs. Henry was a “side looker,” as he often didn’t turn his head, but instead gave a side look.
Although his life on Earth was far too brief, Henry fought an incredible battle through multiple open-heart surgeries, catheter procedures, blood clots, seizures, strokes, cardiac arrests, ECMO life support, pneumonia, Covid-19, a brain aneurysm, among various other complications. He was a true Heart Warrior, overcoming each and every obstacle with a smile on his face—until it just became too much. Henry gained his angel wings on November 11, 2022, in the Cardiac ICU at Children's Wisconsin.
Read Henry’s full story here: CaringBridge - Henry's Heart
