\u201cAt first I thought I could take a few days off and we could all alternate who has the days off, then we got hit with it can only be done in Melbourne,\u201d Ms Keirnan said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very scary, very daunting, especially losing an income.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Ross procedure can offer up to 20 years of respite before it needs to be done again, which is the most beneficial option for Micah.<\/p>\n
Ms Keirnan said her other son had to undergo a risky facial reconstruction surgery at eight-months-old, and the old trauma has been heavily affecting the family.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne minute I\u2019m OK, the next I\u2019m an absolute mess. It\u2019s hit me mentally as well as financially,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like I can never get a win. Every time something goes right, something else happens.\u201d<\/p>\n
Micah\u2019s aunt, who set up the fundraising account earlier this month, said her nephew\u2019s surgery was expected to occur within the next few months. The teenager and his mum will be in Melbourne for six to eight weeks, depending on how he recovers.<\/p>\n
![\"Micah](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/537e71fbbb288756eca3bee1367b3b9c2b8a4e36.jpg\")
Camera IconMicah underwent a balloon valvuloplasty to help his aortic valve work properly when he was just three days old. Credit: GoFundMe\/eyJpdiI6InJwTGtiUm51QURFNkJ4d3NyZU0yM2c9PSIsInZhbHVlIjoiTTFoY2RLTUhhYlpLTmJwelQ0T2p3cm1Tb1E3MWVnSmlGV0NFK3lHcFUzdTMydXN1QUhVSTFxS3Erb2pVK3FPS1dCOXFka054aEtKR2I2V0lHb1cyL0E9PSIsIm1hYyI6IjE4OGUzZWViYjZhMjMxMzhiOWQ1NTBiNTQ4MGM0NDI2NWYxYTUxOGU0Y2I3MTY1MGNlYmIxN2Q3NGFkNjE1ZWEiLCJ0YWciOiIifQ==<\/p>\n
The funds raised will help to cover accommodation costs, food, transport and everyday living expenses interstate. It will also go towards the household bills and essential expenses that will continue in Perth while Ms Keirnan is unable to work.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile she\u2019s away, life at home doesn\u2019t stop. Rent, utilities, car repayments and everyday bills will still need to be paid, all while she\u2019s unable to work and is focused on being by her son\u2019s side,\u201d the family\u2019s GoFundMe page reads.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re hoping to raise enough to help take some of that financial pressure away, so she can put all of her energy into supporting Micah through his surgery and recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the time of writing, $2140 has been raised of the family\u2019s $9000 goal.<\/p>\n
The family said any remaining funds would be donated to HeartKids WA, the Western Australian branch of Australia\u2019s only national not-for-profit dedicated to supporting families impacted by childhood-onset heart disease.<\/p>\n
Eight Australian babies are born with a congenital heart defect every week, but medical advances now allow more than 80 per cent of children with heart disease to live into adulthood.<\/p>\n