POCATELLO — With all the medical needs her two-month-old daughter Auzzy has, Lauren Price says she sometimes feels more like a nurse and, at times, has to remind herself to step back and just be a mommy to her little girl.

Auzzy was born Feb. 26 with a condition known as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), a severe, life-threatening congenital heart defect. The left side of Auzzy's heart is underdeveloped, preventing it from effectively pumping blood through her body.

"She is on oxygen full time and she is on a feeding pump," Price said. "She is on a heart monitor that is constantly beeping and we have to check her stats all the time."

There is a protocol for treating Auzzy's condition, a series of surgeries, one of which she had on March 6 at just eight days old. That first operation was a Norwood procedure, during which a new, larger aorta is created for the right ventricle to pump blood to the body.

There was a complication.

"When they were pulling the pacing wire, it caused a hole in her heart," Price said.

The pacing wires are attached to the heart temporarily during or after surgery to help provide temporary stimulation to the heart to help manage arrhythmia. Because of the hole in her heart, Auzzy was placed on a life support machine for a short period to help with her heart and lung functions.

On March 19, there was a second surgery. This one was to fix the hole in her heart.

Auzzy spent the better part of her first weeks of life in the hospital, being discharged and readmitted before finally coming home to Pocatello. The current stretch at home is what doctors call the "interstage period," a critical window of preparation and growth before her next procedure.

Price, and her husband, Saxton, had just prepared to move to the Salt Lake City area in early 2025 when they found out Lauren was pregnant. It was about six months into her pregnancy that the Prices were informed little Auzzy would be born with HLHS.

"I found out when I was 24 weeks pregnant," Price said. "We kind of knew it was going to be a wild ride, but they are great at Primary Children's Hospital."

The financial strain of Auzzy's care has already been enormous. Lauren's mother, Dana Shail, told the Idaho State Journal that the reality of the bills came into sharp focus during one particularly difficult moment in the emergency room, when Auzzy had taken a turn and the family was in tears — until Lauren opened her phone to find a message from the hospital.

"The message on our phone said your balance today is well over a million dollars," Shail recounted. "And then it said, 'Can't pay today? You could pay $84,000 a month, if that's easier.' So anyway, we were in the ER trying not to cry, but dying laughing because of the text message."

The family is in the process of applying for Medicaid for Auzzy, though Price told the Idaho State Journal that the process is lengthy and complicated given the around-the-clock demands of Auzzy's care. They are also pursuing other financial assistance programs. In the meantime, they are staying with Lauren's parents to help offset living costs.

To help them, a family member started a GoFundMe campaign, which can be found at gofund.me/047287e41. A goal of $16,000 was set to help the family with expenses. As of Monday evening, the campaign had raised about $3,400 from 36 contributors. It's uncertain what the long-term needs will be but they determined this would at least help in the short term.

"It's more than just money," Price told the Idaho State Journal. "Every time somebody sends something, it's saying they love Auzzy and want to support her and help her get healthy. That means the world to me as a mom."

The Norwood procedure was the first of at least three surgeries Auzzy will need to help her survive the HLHS. Her next surgery, the Glenn procedure, is already scheduled for July 1. As she continues to grow, Auzzy will need a Fontan procedure, typically performed when the child is 18 months to three years old, and doctors will eventually assess when a heart transplant becomes necessary.

Price said the timing of the surgeries is based on Auzzy and how long it takes her to grow beyond the previous surgery's effectiveness.

When asked about the medical team at Primary Children's Hospital, Price was effusive in her praise. She told the Idaho State Journal that during one of the family's lowest moments in the ER, the care team came over simply to give them a compassionate hug.

"They have an amazing staff of nurses, and the surgeons are great," Price said. "They follow them throughout their lives, watching them grow up. It's kind of beautiful."

The medical condition hasn't stopped Auzzy from bringing all the joy a new baby will typically bring. Price says Auzzy is already showing signs of having a "big personality."

Shail told the Idaho State Journal that despite some expected developmental delays, Auzzy has made her feelings about her mother very clear.

"Anytime her mom is anywhere near, this little baby locks in and just stares at her and will laugh," Shail said. "It's only her mama she does it with. It's very intentional on her part."

Auzzy has also developed a fondness for chapstick — a practical comfort, given that the oxygen and tubes leave her mouth dry. Price says it may be her daughter's favorite part of the day.

"It definitely is very hard but she is very happy all the time," Price said. "She is always smiling, kicking and looking around."

Idaho State Journal Editor Shelbie Harris contributed to this article.