Aaron

The Tanner family’s life has been anything but normal for the past 4 years. No family should ever have to endure this much in an entire lifetime. Not long after the meeting and after God profoundly laid this on my heart, I spoke with Elizabeth (Mom) and got to experience her incredible spirit and unwavering faith, I can’t help but to call her a hero.

Beloved Ethan

Before Elizabeth and Mark’s 4th son Aaron was born he was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition — only the right side of his heart was working, “hypoplastic left heart” they called it. After he was born he had to remain at UCSF for 6 weeks. Elizabeth would bring Aaron’s cheerful 2 year old brother Ethan with her to visit, who delighted in kissing his new little brother. A week after they finally got to bring Aaron home, 2 year old Ethan came down with what seemed to be the flu but he was inconsolable. With baby Aaron in her arms they took Ethan to the hospital. When he didn’t respond to an oxygen mask they decided to intubate him. As the tube entered his chest they discovered his chest was saturated with fluid that came rushing out, drowning any chance the medical team had of getting him the oxygen he needed. Their beautiful little Ethan died. “Pertrophic Cardiomyopathy” they called it, that doesn’t, unfortunately give much warning, death is often one of the first symptoms. Elizabeth buried a part of her soul with Ethan but remaining completely dead was not an option for her. She had to stay positive for her husband, for their 2 older sons and of course for their precious Aaron. Aaron, now age 4, and 3 open heart surgeries later, found out that he now faces his biggest challenge yet. Due to renal failure that is putting too much pressure on his heart, he must have a heart and kidney transplant simultaneously in order to survive. To support little Aaron, make donations, or follow his journey visit Save A Broken Heart.