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Infant faces fourth surgery
Published June 27, 2009
Although he’s only 4 months old, Logan Marvin of Ingram has endured three operations — including two open-heart surgeries — and is expected to undergo a fourth by the end of summer.
While his family has insurance, it doesn’t cover many of the costsd. That’s why friends, including Christy Garrison, have organized a fundraiser on their behalf.
The event, set for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Hunt fire house, will feature a live auction at 1 p.m., music and barbecue brisket, chicken and sausage. Admission will not be charged, but donations will be accepted.
Garrison said about 40 items have been donated for the auction, and she especially credited Ole Ingram Grocery and Bernhard Meat Processing and Market for supplying items for the barbecue.
Logan’s struggle
On Feb. 6, Brandi (White) and Cory Marvin welcomed their first child into the world.
Logan was born at 5:16 p.m. He weighed 6.10 ounces and measured 18 3/4 inches long.
“I was just in awe, “Brandi said, referring to the first time she saw her son.
Little did she know, the child’s birth would end up being the easy part.
Brandi, who has health issues, knew her pregnancy was “high risk” and decided to see a maternal fetal specialist in San Antonio. She was about seven months along when complications with the baby’s health arose.
Two weeks after his birth, Logan underwent surgery for a “malrotation of the intestinal wall” and the placement of a gastrointestinal tube for feeding.
“It was pretty scary because he was a newborn,” Brandi said, noting it was a very emotional time.
“He did good,” she said.
Not long afterward, tests revealed the baby had a heart defect. Initially, his doctors planned to wait on open heart surgery for about 8 months to a year because Logan’s case was considered mild.
“We thought we were going to have more time,” she said.
Their plans changed, however, when the infant began suffering respiratory distress.
“You knew he was struggling to breathe,” the mom said.
Then, just before Easter, tragedy unfolded at the Marvins’ home.
Brandi, her sister and their mother were there with the baby when Logan stopped breathing and turned blue.
“I had to give him CPR,” the infant’s mom said. “It was very traumatic. I have never done CPR on anybody before.”
When the ambulance arrived, Logan was coughing and responsive, she said.
Brandi had learned the life-saving procedure during a “high-risk” CPR class at Methodist Children’s Hospital in San Antonio.
Having to actually perform CPR never entered her mind.
“I’m thinking not my child. Little did I know, I would have to do it two weeks later,” she said.
Logan had open heart surgery in May to repair the hole in his heart, known as the Tetralogy of Fallot.
“We were scared,” Brandi said.
When the baby’s condition didn’t seem to improve after the operation, the medical team and his parents realized something wasn’t right.
Within two days of his surgery, Logan underwent a second operation to stop excessive bleeding around his heart.
“He has been through so much stuff,” Brandi said. “Miraculously he pulled out of that one, but recovery was longer.”
Now, the baby is back home and doing well.
“He’s all smiles, lots of movement. Not a care in the world,” the mom said.
While Logan will have to be monitored every couple of months and occasionally tested to make sure there are no more problems with his heart, Brandi said the doctor has been impressed with the baby’s recovery.
Despite the good report, Logan still has at least one surgery remaining to correct a cleft lip and palate. That operation will take place by the end of summer.
Brandi said she’s comforted by her faith and the fact her son won’t remember any of his ordeal.
“He’s a little fighter,” she said.
Expense
Cory, a home builder, and Brandi, a sleep technologist, have insurance, but it doesn’t pay for all of the expenses associated with their son’s surgeries and medical treatments.
“It’s never ending,” Brandi said, referring to the cost.
She’s grateful for having good friends and a supportive community, and for everyone involved in organizing Saturday’s benefit.
“Faith has seen us through,” she said, noting, “Words cannot express the gratitude for the people who have helped us help our baby.”
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