Theo’s Journey

On June 9, Blake and Keri Prigge proudly welcomed Theodore (Gift of God) Walker Prigge. Preceding his arrival, Keri had a high-risk pregnancy and Theo was closely monitored throughout with ultrasounds revealing congenital heart and brain defects. At birth, Theo was rushed to NICU for breathing support. He remained in the NICU for the next week and his cardiologist confirmed that his heart pressure was weakening and a plan was developed to proceed with an interventional procedure on his heart valves. Following the successful aortic and pulmonary valvuloplasty, Blake and Keri were able to take Theo home on June 19.

Just two days later, Keri and Blake discovered blood in Theo’s diaper and took him to their local hospital in Coeur d'Alene, where he was life flighted to Sacred Heart in Spokane and admitted back into the NICU, with the diagnosis of NEC (necrotizing enterocolitis) related to his intestines not getting the oxygenated blood needed from his heart tissue. Theo developed respiratory issues and his Cardiologist determined that a second pulmonary valvuloplasty was necessary due to worsening pulmonary valve stenosis. The procedure was successful and Theo had his second homecoming on July 18.

Heartbreakingly, just four days after settling in at home, Blake and Keri discovered another episode of bloody stools. The new parents went straight to the ER at Sacred Heart, where Theo was admitted to the PICU, with another suspected case of NEC. He was given the same support and by the end of the month, he was moved to the pediatric unit where Blake and Keri were able to be involved in his daily care.

On August 20, NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital in Manhattan, accepted Theo as a heart transplant patient. In the meantime, genetic testing had been underway and it was discovered that Theo’s conditions are a result of a gene mutation- ZEB2 sequence variant, which is found in children with Mowat-Wilson Syndrome.

On August 28, Theo and Keri flew to New York via a private plane. Theo will undergo surgery on September 17 to repair his heart valves. This is not a long-term solution and a partial heart transplant will be the next step when Theo is preschool age.

Theo’s journey is ongoing. More updates to come.

Please join us on October 10 as we come together to support Blake and Keri as they continue to push forward and advocate for their sweet first-born son, Theo.

Fundraiser for Theo Prigge

The Heart Warrior