Sterling Hamilton was a “miracle baby” to his parents and now he’s fighting for his life because of a defect in his heart that he’s had since birth.

On Tuesday, Jan. 18, a few days after he turned 14 months, Sterling survived a “successful” open heart surgery to repair a hole in his heart. His parents, Anthony and Heidi Hamilton, need help as they try to finish paying off their health care bills for Sterling.

Sterling, whose family lives in Elma, was born with a hole in his heart because of a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD.) He had open heart surgery to repair the hole and as of Wednesday, Jan. 19, he was in the Intensive Care Unit at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston.

While Anthony, who works for Pepsi, has been able to work with his insurance provider on most of a $444,000 bill, there’s still $3,800 left — for health care alone — that the family will need to pay. The $3,800 doesn’t include the family’s bills while they stay with their son in Houston. The family also won’t see the final bill until they are discharged.

Laurie Bremer, who owns Nellivander’s Shoppe in Elma, said she contacted the Hamiltons about hosting an event at her shop. She said 100 percent of the proceeds will go to help the Hamiltons.

“I saw a post and I responded privately and asked the parents if they would let me have a fundraiser for them,” she said. They came with their little boy, I listened to their story and told them what I could do.”

The story is certainly a tough one. Just listen to Anthony, who said he’s been a nervous wreck while at the hospital. He said he “ruined” a light pink shirt that he wore Tuesday during the lifesaving surgery.

“The more we waited the more dangerous it would be,” he said about operating on Sterling. “We waited nine months and (the hole) wasn’t closing.”

VSD is a congenital heart defect in which there is a hole in the wall — septum — that separates the two lower chambers — ventricles — of the heart, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Anthony and Heidi sought the best health care they could find — at Texas Children’s Hospital.

He said their “wonderful” pediatrician Shawn Andrews, who practices in Elma, was the one who caught Sterling’s heart defect.

Anthony said Andrews wasn’t initially too concerned, but she watched it carefully for a month or so before she referred the Hamiltons to Northwest Congenital Heart Care in Tacoma, Anthony said in an email to The Daily World.

Then, the Hamiltons got regular electro-cardiogram tests (EKGs), which monitor the heart rhythm for problems. Sterling’s parents also met at the hospital for ultrasound imaging on the baby’s heart. The ultrasound showed the VSD was moderate to severe. The Hamiltons had the option of a surgery for their son or to try medication to try to help close the hole.

The family chose medication, which brought minimal progress in closing the hole. But, it did hold surgery at bay, Hamilton said.

Medication proved unsuccessful once Sterling turned 1 year old, Hamilton said. A scan showed that the hole stopped closing and the left side of the baby’s heart was expanding and thinning.

While Tuesday’s open heart surgery to repair the VSD was a success, Sterling must be watched for at least a few more days before he can be moved from ICU.

“They’re watching him closely because of his hole,” Anthony said. “Certain parts are stretched out and have holes. We’re not out of the woods yet.”

Anthony said the doctors had to sew part of Sterling’s heart together. And, because of the way the 14-month-old boy’s heart is shaped, the surgery team couldn’t patch it. It would have been nearly impossible to patch it.

“It’s a super scary situation for sure,” Anthony said Wednesday. “The hardest part for me is staying positive. Seeing what he’s going through is really hard.”

Anthony said he was up until 2 a.m. Wednesday. He said the night nurse ordered him to sleep for two hours and they would wake him while they removed a tube from Sterling. Two hours later, just as they said, they woke up Anthony. As of late morning on Wednesday, Anthony said Sterling, whose breastfed, was able to latch on to his mom.

“He’s a miracle baby,” Anthony said. “Heidi had a 1 percent chance of getting pregnant. (Sterling’s) been a complete blessing in our lives.”

Anthony said Sterling has helped him grow as a person in many different ways.

“He certainly puts a smile on my face,” Anthony said. “I’m proud to be his father.”

The Hamiltons, who were looking for a way to avoid paying further expensive hotel costs while they continue to stay in Houston, were able to get onto a list with Ronald McDonald House Houston. They’ll be able to stay there until they return to Washington.

“It’s a lifesaver because the hotel bills are crippling me,” he said. “We’ll be able to stay in Ronald McDonald housing, which is next to the hospital.”

But, they still have expenses, which is where Bremer’s selfless event, on Saturday, Feb. 5, comes in. For details, look to Bremer’s Facebook page. Click on the “Events” tab, drag down and click on “See More,” until you see “Give from the Heart” Fundraiser for Baby Sterling 1 pm and 7 pm.”

Bremer said 100% of the proceeds will go to the family. Those who donate will receive anything between Easel Bucks, gift bags, painting parties, and-or private painting lessons.

Sterling’s medical team will observe him for four to five days to make sure there isn’t any fluid buildup. Anthony sounds satisfied by the care so far that his son has received in Houston. But going through their ordeal has been tough, to say the least.

“It’s been really hard on (Heidi,)” he said. “She’s been staying strong, but it’s definitely taken a toll on her.”

Anthony said his family is very fortunate to have met Bremer.

“Laurie’s been a huge help in supporting us and bringing support,” he said. “Not just income, but emotional support.”

Anthony said he wasn’t trying to be emotional Wednesday, but he loves Sterling with every fiber in his body and that he’s loved seeing his son learn how to talk and that he’s just started potty-training. He also said he’s proud of his hometown for being so generous.

“It really, truly means a lot to me, especially growing up there,” he said of Elma, before adding that he is beyond thankful. “I can’t express how much it means to me, (because) we love him. I feel he deserves all the support out there.”