Just one day before the birth of their third child, Marcus and Margaret Twichel of Billings, Montana, received devastating news: their unborn son had a rare, life-threatening heart defect known as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). This condition severely limits the heart’s ability to pump oxygen-rich blood, making early intervention critical.
On April 16, Margaret was airlifted to Children’s Hospital in Denver, a national leader in pediatric cardiac care. The next day, baby Nicholas was born, weighing 8 pounds, 3 ounces. Within hours, he was rushed to the cath lab for an emergency procedure to stabilize his circulation. Against the odds, Nicholas survived another urgent operation just 24 hours later.
While Nicholas remains stable, his heart has not developed as hoped. Doctors determined that multiple open-heart surgeries will be necessary. He has already undergone the first, with the next one expected around six months of age.
Despite the stress and emotional toll, the family has experienced moments of profound joy. In late May, Nicholas was extubated, moved out of the ICU, and transferred to a step-down unit. For the first time, his parents could hold him freely and care for him like any newborn. On May 28, their two older sons, James (4) and Luke (2), flew to Denver for their first meeting with their baby brother — a long-awaited family reunion that brought tears and hope.
Margaret plans to homeschool James while remaining at Nicholas’s bedside. Marcus will soon return to work in Billings, balancing job responsibilities with frequent trips to Denver. Though they are receiving support from the Ronald McDonald House and their insurance, the family faces mounting medical and travel costs.
A GoFundMe campaign, created by Marcus, has helped ease some of the financial burden. More importantly, the family says the prayers and kindness from friends, family, and strangers have been their greatest strength.
“Your prayers are being answered every day,” they wrote. “We see it in every little step Nicholas takes forward.”
As they work toward temporary housing in Denver and a more stable summer, the Twichels continue to focus on healing, hope, and the long road ahead.
To follow Nicholas’s journey or make a contribution, visit the GoFundMe page. Every donation, share, or prayer helps this Montana family feel a little less alone.
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