Sanctus Real Singer Shares about Baby's Heart Surgery

By Ethan Cole, Christian Post Reporter Sunday, March 06, 2011

The 5-month-old son of Sanctus Real's lead vocalist Matt Hammitt opened his eyes Saturday after undergoing his second heart surgery this week.

Baby Bowen Hammitt underwent surgery on Wednesday for a condition known as hypoplastic left heart syndrome, or in other words, he was born with only half a heart.

"It is one of the most severe heart defects we deal with. The survival rate for 5 years is about 70 percent, but that has improved a lot in just the last 10 years," said Dr. Mark Russell, pediatric cardiologist at the University of Michigan's Mott Children's Hospital, according to ABC Channel 13 news in Toledo, Ohio.

According to the blog Bowen's Heart, managed by the Hammitts, Bowen's blood sugar levels are stable and doctors are monitoring his blood pressure. The Hammitts latest update on Saturday said he is "wide-eyed" but did not smile, although he seemed content.

The Christian rock band Sanctus Real has been nominated twice for a Grammy Award. They are also nominated for three Dove awards this year, including Pop/Contemporary song of the year and Rock/Contemporary album of the year.

Hammitt, understandably, did not attend the Grammy Award show in February because he was taking care of his family.

On Thursday, Hammitt posted verses from Psalm 116: 1-5 on the blog: "I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. Then I called on the name of the Lord: 'O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!' Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful."

Doctors say that Bowen could go home as early as Monday. He had his first heart surgery just days after he was born, and is slated to have another surgery between the ages of 18 months and two years old.