| Patrick and Carly Fritz had just purchased a new home in the heart of COVID-19 in anticipation of their second child, Caleb, joining their family. At their 20-week anatomy scan, they discovered that Caleb had a Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). This meant that his left ventricle was not forming properly and he would be born with half of a heart. Thankfully, the team at UPMC Children’s Hospital excels in treating this condition and had a plan in place to reconstruct his heart which involved three heart surgeries within the first 2-3 years of Caleb’s life. The original plan changed very quickly when Caleb was born five weeks premature on October 13, 2020, weighing just 4 pounds 14 ounces. At just eight days old Caleb had to undergo an unplanned, life saving surgery. Shortly after, Caleb experienced a stroke that wouldn’t be discovered until months later during an MRI to find the cause of his seizures. In total, he had four strokes by the time he was two months old. His road was rocky to say the least and the decision was made for Caleb to have his second heart surgery at three months old. This was an incredibly difficult time for the Fritz family as they didn’t know if Caleb would survive his second surgery. Up until this point, no one other than Patrick and Carly had been able to be in the hospital, but without knowing how his surgery would go, his grandparents were allowed to come to the hospital to meet him. Thankfully, his second surgery went well and after a lengthy stay in the ICU he was transferred to the cardiac unit. He had his third heart surgery at six months old in which he experienced some complications 24 hours afterwards and had to have an emergency heart catheterization. After that, things finally calmed down and when Caleb was 7 months old, he had a G-tube placed to help him eat. One week later on May 18th, 2021 Caleb was finally able to come home with his parents and meet his big brother Owen. Caleb has made tremendous strides since coming home. His biggest feat was overcoming his oral aversion and learning to eat by mouth. He has attended physical and occupational therapy to close the gap on all of his developmental delays. Although he continues to visit Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh on a regular basis for various procedures and appointments, he is enjoying every second of being home and living a normal life. The journey for a heart warrior is challenging and unpredictable and Caleb is certainly no exception. The Fritz family may not know where the road for Caleb may lead, but they do not let that hold them back from giving him a life full of adventure, laughter, and love. |
“We believe in the giant potential of the tiny bean”
Caleb’s Crusaders Heart Foundation is a public charity exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code. Official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling
toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999.
Caleb’s Crusaders Heart Foundation 