Bowling Green baby returns home with new heart after HLHS battle

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – “There were days we didn’t know if he was going to make it, but he wanted to live.”

Lorenzo was born June 26 last year to Izela and Jesus Martinez. For his mother, Izela, during her 20-week prenatal visit, she found out that her son would be born with a congenital heart condition.

Izela Martinez said, “I just don’t want to give birth. I was scared because, you know, we were prepared for the worst, and when he came out, he looked normal.”

What should have been a world welcome from the family, turned quickly into a parent’s nightmare. 

“So, he went to the NICU but then after that his lungs collapsed and I was freaking out and that’s when I was like okay, he really is sick,” Izela Martinez said. Lorenzo was given a breathing tube and for his heart’s condition at the time, he was not a good candidate for the HLHS surgery, prompting doctors to give him a left ventricular assist device.

“It was a lot to see and then his chest was open, and you could see his heart beating in there…nobody prepares you for how you’re going to feel when you see your child like that,” she said.

He became stronger over time after his surgery and was eventually put on the transplant list and after 6 months of waiting, the family received news that a heart was available for their son. 

“We always knew that transplant would be something that he might have to go through,” his mom said.

In February he underwent an intense 13-hour heart transplant surgery and nearly two weeks later, his heart regained its natural function, his chest was closed and he was off to start a new chapter with a special send off from the Norton Children’s Hospital staff.

According to the CDC, hypoplastic left heart syndrome happens to 1-in- 3,846 babies. The Martinez family is now at home making memories with their son. 

Izela says she is grateful for the staff of Norton Children’s Hospital and the family that made the choice to donate their child’s organs.

“I hope we get the opportunity to meet them. They said it’s up to them if they want to meet us to thank them. No words, money, nothing can ever repay the gift they gave Lorenzo and maybe other kids organs to give them a second chance at life.”

If you would like to donate to families like the Martinez family, you can check out Norton Children’s Hospital website.