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WAUSEON, OH -- Six-year-old Samuel Bowman of Wauseon, Ohio suffers from multiple congenital heart defects. But, he's staying strong and it’s much due to his family's persistence.
Samuel’s parents have treated their son's medical problems as a learning experience and are now sharing their knowledge. Both Brian and Deb Bowman are registered nurses. They’ve worked hard to provide their son the best care possible.
Samuel has been on formula for four years. He still gets 40% of his calories through a feeding tube. Instead of using the standard canned concoction, Brian created a 100% organic, whole-foods recipe he calls “Samuel’s Formula.” Now, the Bowmans want to share “Samuel’s Formula” with you. NBC 24 will share this recipe Tuesday night. But, until then, here’s some information for you to get to know Samuel.
For the first two years of Samuel’s life, no one knew the obstacles he would have to face.
“As time progressed we kind of knew something might be wrong,” said Brian.
On December 18, 2003 an echocardiogram confirmed Brian and Deb's fears. Sam had Tetralogy of Fallot and Pulmonary Atresia.
“You see, I was born that way. Nobody understands why,” said Sam.
Samuel has a hole between his two ventricles and his pulmonary artery is abnormally small. Following the diagnosis on the day before Christmas Eve, 2-year-old Samuel had his first open heart surgery.
“It lasted almost eight hours. It just was a long time. They would come and tell us how things were going,” said Brian.
Since then, Samuel has undergone eleven other surgeries. One was to put in his gastric tube for feeding and the other ten were to stretch areas around the heart which take blood to his lungs.
“I've been with him for every time he's been put to sleep for surgery. I've been there with him. I refuse to let them take him awake,” said Deb.
But, his last three surgeries, preparation for a final step, were unsuccessful and an open heart surgery to close the hole in Samuel's heart couldn't be done
“It's been very hard. We've had a lot of time crying,” said Brian.
This could cause severe complication for Sam down the road, but for now, doctors are happy with Sam's progress.
“One of the things we have to think about is Sam's life right now,” said Brian.
And right now, Sam loves playing with his Legos. Often you’ll find him building hospitals.
“Because I care about other people who need hospital attention,” said Samuel.
Although it’s been a tough journey, the Bowmans are not giving up and doctors are hoping someday Samuel can get that final surgery to fix his heart.
