Baby on his way home with new heart

Gina Schiltz, St. Charles mother of five, was thrilled to buy diapers for her youngest child last week.

Fintan, 7 months, was getting out of the hospital where he spent his entire life until Thursday. Fintan received a heart transplant Dec. 26 at Children's Memorial.

His parents are more than ready to welcome him home, after a transitional stay in Kohl's House across the street from the hospital.

"I want to start doing it (taking care of Fintan) and quit thinking about it," said his father, Mark Schiltz.

"He had some very big eyes, looking around" at things he's not experienced, including the van ride and the rain, said Dr. Jeffrey Fossett, Fintan's medical transplant cardiologist, who supervised the discharge.

The Schiltzes are quick to praise God for Fintan's recovery and their ability to deal with his needs.

"Our (Catholic) faith is our strength. That is the most important part of this story for us -- to share a story of faith, hope and family," Mark Schiltz said.

Fintan was born Sept. 18 at Delnor-Community Hospital in Geneva with critical aortic stenosis. His aortic valve was blocked, and the left ventricle, a chamber in the heart that pumps blood, was damaged, causing him to have high blood pressure.

He was flown to Children's that night. Doctors determined his heart was damaged beyond repair, and he would need a new one.

"His heart is doing great. It is just doing wonderful," Mark Schiltz said.

Fossett agreed, noting that at 18 pounds, Fintan is right on target for size for his age.

Fintan battled complications after the surgery. He was deliberately paralyzed and used a breathing machine for several weeks. His left lung was damaged, causing fluid buildup. Drainage tubes were inserted.

He suffered withdrawal from painkilling medication after the surgery, a breathing mask gave him a sore on his nose, steroid medicine has given him a swollen face and cyclosporin gave him eyebrows that would make Groucho Marx proud.

He takes 17 medicines now, including some that suppress his immune system to keep it from attacking the new heart, which it perceives as a foreign object.

Catching up

Fintan has to learn a few things that normally come naturally, such as how to eat from a bottle.

He was fed by nasal tubes before the surgery, to keep from straining his damaged heart. ("Feeding is a huge workout -- it's a baby's job," Mark Schiltz said.)

And because of the breathing tube, he's developed an aversion to having things stuck in his mouth. He will accept a pacifier or a finger but doesn't suck on them. Therapists have been teaching him how to suck and swallow while still breathing.

"It is a skill every baby has to learn to survive," his father said.

Fintan has a weak neck from lying on his back (he couldn't be placed on his stomach due to the tubes and the surgical incision).

He's had physical and occupational therapy to strengthen his muscles and coordination.

"It was physically impossible for him to get those milestones" babies normally accomplish, such as rolling over, holding his head up, or sitting up with minimal support, Mark Schiltz says.

Immunity

Once at home Fintan will be kept away from large groups for several months to reduce the risk of infection. Even his 4-year-old brother knows that if he has the sniffles, he should wear a mask around Fintan.

As Fintan gets stronger "he will have a very normal life," Mark Schiltz said. The heart will grow with him.

Fossett agreed.

"I would expect him to keep up with his peers and go to gym and recess," he said.

The hospital staff taught the Schiltzes how to monitor his vital signs, administer medication and clean the nasogastric tube.

"I would say we're anxious and of course we're naturally going to be a little nervous," Schiltz said. "We do not have the educational background (of the hospital staff.)

"However, we do know Fintan so well. So we can judge how he's doing on how he looks, if he is crying, if he is irritable."

Fintan's brothers and sisters have already visited him in the hospital, so he knows who they are. They will be around a lot, as the Schiltzes home-school their children.

"It may be noisier here than it is in the hospital," said Gina Schiltz.

Funds for Fintan

• A fundraising concert is planned for 6 p.m. April 20 at the Arcada Theater in St. Charles. Call (630) 587-8400, or go online to onestientertainment.com for details.

• To donate money, send a check to the Fintan Patrick Schiltz Fund (Account 4500232949 in the memo line) in care of the Remittance Processing Department, Charter One Bank, P.O. 42006, Providence, RI 029-2006.