Brian Kusto, Bryton Held, and Michael Kusto are looking foreword to coming home.
Baby Michael and his parents will continue to make trips to Williston, Bismarck, and Minneapolis for medical care.
Parents Bryton Held and Brian Kusto expected what most parents expect when anticipating a new baby: a brief hospital stay before bringing their bundle of joy home. However, shortly after their 7lb. 7oz. baby boy, Michael Allen Kusto was born on July 27th, 2016, they were told that he had a heart murmur. Four hours later, baby Michael was flown to Bismarck, ND where he stayed for a few days before being flown to Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, MN.
Unable to fly with their child, Michael's parents drove first to Bismarck and then to Minneapolis. He was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis with an uncuspid valve, and at just one month old, Michael underwent open-heart surgery. The procedure took nine minutes, but was no less major than any other open-heart surgery.
Sidney native Held has been able to stay with her son throughout the duration of travel and hospital stays. Michael's father has been able to be there for the majority of it, having to come home to Sidney for a few days to attend to business.
Baby Michael's recovery is going well and he is currently staying with his parents at a hotel in Minneapolis awaiting the go-ahead from doctors to come home.
Held's mother, Stacey Thornton, has been organizing a fundraising event at the Sidney Moose Lodge, 101 3rd St SE, on Friday, Sept. 9th from 5:00pm – 8:00pm. There will be a silent and live auction, and a free-will chili and cinnamon roll dinner served. Currently, some of the items to be auctioned include a $300 gift card for window tint at PJ's Auto, a gun, and a $50 coffee gift card from Silver Junction. Any and all donated items are being accepted for both auctions.
The Michael Kusto Benefit Fund has been set up at Wells Fargo bank, 101 2nd Ave SW, for anyone who would like to make a monetary donation. All funds will be used to help the family with medical, travel, and living expenses.
"The community has been awesome with their support," said Thornton. "Everyone's been wonderful and willing to do what they can to help."
Held and Kusto are hopeful that they will be back in time for the benefit, and if so, plan on bringing Michael to meet the wonderful people that have helped them so much.
Anyone interested in donating to the Benefit Dinner and Auction can contact Thornton at 406-478-1610.
Michael Allen Kusto, along with his family, would sincerely like to thank the Sidney community for the support they've been given during this time.
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