ROBINSON, Texas (KWTX) – The Central Texans are gathering behind a local family whose 4-month-old son is fighting for his life with a combination of important congenital heart defects and have not been home from the hospital since birth.
Robinson’s Brittney and Hunter McFarland have been praying for a miracle since their son Jack was born in Waco and then flew to Fort Worth Hospital where he remains forever.
Jack’s family never thought he was wrong when he was born.
“His delivery went smoothly and he looked absolutely perfect – pink, vigilant and healthy at first glance,” Britney said. “We were immersed in our first precious moment.
During a daily important check, the nurse determined that Jack was in great danger.
He was rushed to the NICU after his parents later received crushing news that Jack would need to fly to a 4th-drawn hospital specializing in treating complex heart conditions.
“We were shocked, desperate for answers, totally heartbroken,” Britney said.
Jack was included in the diagnosis but included great arteries, pulmonary atresia, and L-transposition of tricuspid occlusion.
His condition meant that his heart could not properly pump oxygenated blood and would need surgery immediately.
At just three weeks old, Jack underwent his first open heart surgery to reroute blood flow, known as the Norwood procedure.
Norwood didn’t stabilize him as the doctors wanted, so Jack underwent the Glen procedure on January 20th in just two months. This is usually done to reduce his heart workload for a baby a month or two ago.
“It was a high-risk decision, but by God’s grace, Jack pulled out without coding,” his mother said.
Jack also had a tracheostomy, which happened earlier this month.
His recovery was tough.
Jack coded several times, developed a partial lung collapse, fought staphylococcal infection, lost weight, and had no ability to breathe on his own.
The struggle took a blow to a young family who had another child and was able to hold him only a few times.
The Hunter travels back and forth between Fort Worth and Wako, allowing him to work and care for the other kids while he remains by Baby Jack’s side.
Britney and Hunter’s friends say they can’t just sit idle and don’t help.
They organized a great benefit for the family called Miracles for McFarland.
Robinson’s Kaylee King is one of the organizers.
“I grew up with Hunter and Britney. When I saw Jack getting sick, it felt like God wanted to do this for me,” she said.
Christie Burton is helping too.
“I worked with Jack’s great grandfather and grandfather. Their family is very important to me,” Christie said. “They’re just sweet people.”
Wes Waller, a well-known fundraiser in central Texas, also grew up in Robinson and while helping to organize many of the events, he said this was something he felt was right.
“It feels like God connects the dots when we’re supposed to do them. He definitely connects the dots here,” Wes said.
Britney and Hunter say that support at the time they need means everything.
“We pray for it soon, we will finally be bringing him home,” Britney said. “Until then, we will continue to find strength in one of his heart’s warming, a grin in the fierce fighting.”
Baby Jack will undergo another major surgery several years later.
The McFarlands Miracle will be held on Sunday, April 13th at Lee Lockwood Library & Musuem in Waco at 3pm
Organizers will need to sell five tables for $1,000 per piece to sell the event.
If you would like to purchase, please contact 254-715-9338 or 254-640-1919.
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