A mother in the Rio Grande Valley is asking for prayers and support as her newborn son prepares for a difficult medical journey.
Gisell Rodriguez from Pharr, Texas, learned just after giving birth that her baby boy, Teo, was born with Tetralogy of Fallot, a serious congenital heart condition that affects blood flow from the heart to the lungs. What should have been a time of celebration quickly became a time of fear and uncertainty.
Doctors told Gisell that Teo will need two major heart surgeries, starting when he is just six months old, in order to survive. To make matters more difficult, she was also informed that her insurance will only fully cover one surgery and will only partially cover the second.
Teo’s condition has already placed strain on his body. One of his lungs has grown larger due to the added stress on his heart, making his need for surgery even more urgent.
Tetralogy of Fallot is a complex heart defect that includes multiple problems within the heart, such as a hole between chambers and restricted blood flow to the lungs. Babies born with this condition often require open-heart surgery and long-term medical care.
Gisell says she has not been able to save money because her son requires constant care and medical attention. Every appointment, every treatment, and every breath matters.
Now, she is asking people everywhere to lift Teo up in prayer and surround her family with love and support as they prepare for the difficult months ahead.
Despite the fear, Gisell says she is holding onto hope — believing that her baby boy will one day grow strong and thrive. 💙
