When the first article about Hudson Wince was published on October 4th of 2023, he was preparing for his second open heart surgery at just under three months of age. Hudson underwent his second surgery called The Glenn on October 31st. It was a hard moment for the mom of four boys, Talia Wince, to hand over her baby to the surgeon for a second surgery, even harder than the first. Thankfully, the surgery was successful and his recovery was remarkably uneventful. A week after having his second open heart surgery, Hudson was able to leave the hospital.

Tanner was able to join the pair in Denver for Hudson’s surgery with the intention of driving both Talia and Hudson back to South Dakota after Hudson was cleared by his doctors. After being released by the hospital, they had to stay in Denver for another week for a post-op checkup and to see his cardiologist. Both appointments went well and Hudson was cleared to come home to South Dakota. The Wince’s started their drive back home on November 14th and arrived in Wagner on November 15th in time to surprise the rest of their boys and pick them up from school.

The boys: Easton, Rider and Cohen, are loving having their baby brother and mom home. The boys are always wanting to hold Hudson and play with him. Hudson is thoroughly enjoying all their love and attention. The three older boys definitely missed their mom and are glad that the family is back together under one roof again.

Being able to come back home to South Dakota has been wonderful for the family, Hudson and Talia. There has been some transitioning for Talia though. Going from four months of solely taking care of and focusing on Hudson’s care and health to coming home to caring for all four of the boys. It was a little overwhelming at first. Especially since the boys had really missed their mom and wanted her time and attention. Things have finally settled down for the Wince family, and they are all starting to get into a routine.

Talia will be taking a leave of absence from teaching at Wagner Community School for the rest of the year to focus on Hudson’s health and wellbeing. She misses her coworkers and students, but knows that now is the time to put family first. Tanner will continue to teach middle school math at WCS and is currently an assistant coach for the WCS girls’ high school basketball team.

Hudson is doing very well. He is enjoying being home with his big brothers and family. Hudson has seen his cardiologist, Dr. Sami, twice since the surgery and both appointments have gone very well. His heart is functioning as it should be, he is healing well from his surgery, is developmentally where he should be, and is growing and gaining weight. Hudson is definitely a true miracle and the family could not be more thankful for how he has progressed, grown and healed.

The next step for Hudson on his heart journey will be to have a final surgery when he is between the ages of two and three. The third and final surgery is called, The Fontan. During this surgery the inferior vena cava is disconnected from the heart and is reconnected to the pulmonary arteries.

There is no cure for Hudson’s birth defect, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). Unfortunately, none of these surgeries are a guarantee or a cure for the heart defect. There is the potential that Hudson could need a heart transplant at any time. The family can only hope that with further research on HLHS that eventually a cure will be found, and hopefully within Hudson’s lifetime.

Tanner and Talia ask for continued prayers for Hudson’s health and for his heart to continue to function properly. They could not be more thankful to have Hudson home and thriving. Hudson’s fight and journey is not over and the Wince’s are well aware that at any moment things could change for Hudson. The Wince’s would like to thank the community for all the prayers, donations, support and meals provided. They could not have done this without Hudson’s Herd.

Thank you for sharing an update about Hudson and your family, Talia. The local communities could not be happier to have both you and Hudson finally home and Hudson’s health in a good place.