STANDISH, Maine — The community is wrapping their arms around the family of a baby from Standish who has spent nearly his entire first year of life in a hospital bed.
Cody Simmons was born seven weeks premature with a heart defect. The infant has since undergone two open-heart surgeries and is currently undergoing treatment at Boston Children's Hospital.
Cody's parents, Ben and Taryn Simmons, who married in 2017, spent years trying to get pregnant. After fertility treatments didn't work out, they took a break.
Then, there was a welcomed surprise in August 2022.
"We found out that we were pregnant; we conceived naturally," Taryn said with a smile.
Except for some minor bleeding, Taryn's pregnancy went smoothly until 29 weeks.
After a condition restricting blood flow through the umbilical cord showed up on an ultrasound, their son Cody was born seven weeks early, weighing just 3 pounds 6 ounces.
"I was apprehensive about him being so early," Taryn explained.
Shortly after his birth, Cody was diagnosed with a rare congenital heart defect. Total anomalous pulmonary venous return, or TAPVR, affects the pulmonary veins.
At just six weeks old, Cody underwent open heart surgery at Boston Children's Hospital to close holes in his heart and repair the pulmonary veins. Complications were a massive concern because Cody was so young, but he pulled through the risky procedure like a champ.
"It was extremely scary, extremely scary. But there was hope he would get through the surgery and recover," Ben Simmons admitted.
Family members started a GoFundMe page to support the Standish family both financially and emotionally. The couple has to pay for housing in Boston so that Taryn can be with Cody at Boston Children's Hospital. Ben, who works for Central Maine Power, stays in Boston on the weekends and returns to Maine during the week.
In July of last year, Cody went home for the first time. But he had to be taken to Maine Medical Center just two days later after struggling with breathing problems.
In October, Cody was readmitted to Boston Children's Hospital where he was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, which causes high blood pressure in the arteries going to the lungs. He had to undergo a second open-heart surgery to remove tissue.
Cody also has catheterizations to widen his veins and increase blood flow. The constant kindness of strangers on social media, including people from as far away as Brazil, is lifting Ben and Taryn during this agonizing journey.
"People we don't even know are supporting and helping us, sending us well wishes and prayers," Taryn said.
"We talk to other families and parents of children who are here, like they are going through the same thing we are going through," Ben said holding back tears.
On Feb. 25, Cody celebrated his first birthday—a milestone his family hoped and prayed for.
While doctors haven't said when Cody will be discharged and be able to come home to Maine, he is making progress.
He has weaned off some of his blood pressure medications and antibiotics to fight infection and is eating more. The one-year-old with big bright eyes is also becoming more alert.
Despite spending all but two days of his life in a hospital care unit, Cody's fighting spirit is giving loved ones new hope for a full recovery one day.