In the small town of Columbia Falls, Henry Anderson embodies resilience. Just two-and-a-half years old, he enjoys playing with toys and squirming in his mother Mandy’s lap, seemingly a typical toddler. However, his path to this joyful moment has been anything but ordinary.
Henry was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a congenital heart defect characterized by underdevelopment of the left side of the heart, while still in the womb at just 20 weeks. This early detection proved crucial.
Born into a world filled with uncertainty, Henry underwent his first heart surgery mere hours after his birth. A second surgery followed shortly thereafter as doctors worked to reconstruct his heart’s plumbing to compensate for the defect. Mandy recalls the challenging time: “Things went well with the surgery,” but those early days took a toll when Henry contracted Covid and faced a bacterial infection during his stay at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City. Consequently, he spent the first month of his life in the hospital.
At four months old, Henry had another surgery aimed at further repairing his heart. This ongoing journey means he now lives with a single pump heart instead of the usual two. Despite these challenges, Henry approaches life with enthusiasm. “He’s a bruiser,” Mandy describes proudly, highlighting their son’s spirited nature. Presently, the only medication he requires is a daily baby aspirin.
The Anderson family made significant sacrifices during this period. Mandy, who previously directed the Boys and Girls Club of Glacier Country, resigned from her position, as did her husband Chris. Together, they care for two older daughters, ages eight and five, trying to navigate family life amidst medical challenges. Having family support in Utah proved beneficial, but the financial burden was undeniable; Henry’s surgeries totaled approximately $2 million, mostly covered by Medicaid.
Once stabilized, the Andersons returned to their home in Columbia Falls. Chris found employment with Flathead Electric Cooperative, leveraging his background in electrical work after prior experience at Weyerhaeuser.
Mandy, with her extensive experience in nonprofits, became involved with Montana Brave Hearts, an organization dedicated to assisting families with childhood heart conditions. She emphasizes the sobering statistics: childhood heart defects affect one in every 100 births, and about 25% of those infants will require life-saving surgery within their first year.
Founded by a nurse with the goal of providing support, Montana Brave Hearts operates with an all-volunteer staff, helping families manage the costs associated with medical care beyond surgeries. “We are a community of families, physicians, and community members that have walked this path and experienced the highs and lows,” the organization’s mission states.
Parents seeking support can find further information at montanabravehearts.org. As a precautionary measure, the Anderson family had their hearts evaluated given Henry’s congenital condition, and they are relieved to find their hearts are healthy.
Henry is a spirited child who embraces life with gusto, though he does demonstrate a dislike for cold weather, likely due to passive blood flow in the lower half of his body. Thankfully, many children with similar heart conditions have undergone successful treatments and are now thriving.
Reflecting on their experience, Mandy sums it up: “It’s been a journey. It’s opened my eyes to a lot of things.” This journey continues to shape their lives as they remain committed to advocating for children like Henry, ensuring that families receive the support they need during their most challenging times.
