Feb 12-CHD Awareness- Lance's Story

Lance is a very happy-go-lucky 9 year old that sees the good in people and in life. When he was born, we had no idea he had any heart defects, but soon found out what would change our lives forever. Lance was born with an underdeveloped right ventricle and two holes in his heart. When he was 6 months old he had his first open heart surgery and recovered quite well from this surgery. Our lives seemed to be back to normal and that is how we strive to keep his life "normal" as possible. However, 4 years later he got really sick and we were told that he needed his next surgery which was the Fontan, this surgery made us very nervous, because we were told that this surgery would mean some time down the line, he would need a heart transplant. We had no choice, he was too sick to not have the surgery. We just prayed that he would be in the category of "needing a transplant" twenty years after the Fontan. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case, Lance's Fontan was considered to be a " Failed Fontan". I will never forget that feeling, when I heard that term! It stills makes me sick to my stomach. After a couple attempts to help his heart, we had no choice, Lance needed a new heart. So many emotions rush to me whilewriting this...After going through the whole process, Lance was listed for his heart as "A1" status. Our prayers were answered very quickly, he got his gift of life 5 days from the date he was listed. We are so thankful for the donor's family, they were going through such a difficult time, yet they had enough heart to save so many others' lives. We think of them often and hope to meet them one day. We understand if this day doesn't come,but if it does, it will be in their time. Lance leads a very active life and is involved in so many sports and activities. Thank you for taking the time to read Lance's story and hope it raises awareness to DONATE LIFE!!

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Feb. 11-CHD Awareness- Braden's Story

Braden was born December 7th, 2009. He was diagnosed in utero with Coarctation of the Aorta (CoA). After he was born, things seemed to improve and we were sent home from the birthing hospital. Two days later, December 14th, we saw our pediatrician for a routine check-up. Dr. Setia discovered Braden had no palpable pulses in his legs and we were immediately sent to Dr. Videlefsky’s office. Once arriving there, an Echocardiogram and EKG were performed. Braden was then transferred to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston. We handed over our perfect, beautiful baby boy. A few hours later, we were allowed back into the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) to see him. He looked so pitiful. He was hooked up to so many machines and had IVs and oxygen. It was absolutely unreal to see him that way. We were told the Coarctation of the Aorta was present and they would be performing surgery. On December 16th, at 9 days old, Braden had his first heart surgery. They separated his ribcage and entered below his shoulder blade. The CoA was repaired. The surgeon also discovered Braden had a Hypoplastic Aortic Arch. They did a left subclavian artery flap to repair it. He struggled post-op and remained on the ventilator longer than we expected. Once it was removed, he drastically declined and they had to reinsert it. Finally, on December 23rd, we were able to take our precious baby home, just in time for Christmas. He was too weak to suck a bottle so he came home with a Nasogastric tube for feeding. Unfortunately, on January 4th, Braden began to drastically decline and we rushed him into CHOA. Pressures in Braden’s lungs had changed and it revealed several VSDs in his heart also known as Swiss Cheese VSDs. He underwent his second heart surgery on January 12th, 2010. The surgeon placed a Pulmonary Artery band to help slow the blood flow to his lungs. After struggling yet again to come off the ventilator, and needing to be re-intubated, we finally returned home on January 19th. Sadly, our stay at home was short lived. Something was not right with Braden. We made several trips into the ER for respiratory distress. Braden was once again readmitted to the hospital. After staying for a week, it was discovered that Braden was micro-aspirating. He was aspirating everything he ate, along with reflux. On March 11th, 2010, Braden underwent his 3rd surgery. He had a Nissen Fundoplication and a G-tube inserted. He finally came home, but was on oxygen due to issues with his pulse ox after all the damage that was caused to his lungs. We continued to follow up with our cardiologist, pulmonologist and Gastroenterologist. Braden had several hospital admissions from his discharge in March until July. In July 2010, Braden underwent a heart cath to check things over. We were very blessed to have been able to avoid the hospital from August-November .Braden finally was strong enough and was removed for Oxygen in November. In December 2010, Braden had a heart cath done. It revealed that the Pulmonary Artery Band was ready to be removed. On January 11th, 2011, Braden underwent his 3rd heart surgery and 4th overall surgery. The Pulmonary Artery band was removed, an ASD was closed and approximately 6 VSDs were closed as well. There was some damage done to his heart in the form of dilation and thickening of the heart muscles. It was thought to be related to the Pulmonary Artery banding and we were optimistic it would slowly improve as time went on. We continued to follow up with our doctors, mainly Cardiology. In April 2012, a heart cath was done. It showed signs of (RCM) Restrictive Cardiomyopathy but no official diagnosis was made. We didn’t get discouraged and continued following up with the cardiologist. In July, 2012, Dr. Videlefsky recommended we make a visit to Dr. Mahle, Egleston’s Transplant doctor. Our lives changed in a way they had never changed before. Dr. Mahle not only confirmed the diagnosis of RCM, but told us our only option for Braden would be transplant. Thankfully Braden remains stable so they are able to hold off and not list him yet. We ask for prayers to keep our son stable as long as possible. The doctors are projecting that Braden will be listed and possibly transplanted within the next three years. Nothing is a guarantee. He could decline tomorrow and need to be listed. Every day with him is a blessing.

Feb 9- CHD Awareness- Kaitlyn's Story

Kaitlyn Marie entered the world at 6 lbs 7 ounces on August 25th, 2011. After having 3 younger brothers and 2 sons, I finally had a beautiful baby girl!!! Kaitlyn passed her Apgar tests with flying colors and quickly became the model infant! She was content being swaddled while her family cooed over her, only crying when she was hungry or dirty. Two days later, we brought our sweet baby home. Little did we know that 3 weeks later, our lives would be turned upside down! September 16th, she had gotten to where she didn't want to eat, she was very pale, listless and making a grunting noise when she breathed. Her pediatrician wanted us to bring her in right away. When we arrived, they took us straight back to a room. Upon assessing her condition, they decided to check her oxygen level. She told me to pick her up and hold her, then she quickly went to get another pediatrician's opinion. Both doctors came in and conversed amongst themselves, then her pediatrician leaned over and told me that she didn't want me to panic, but they had called an ambulance to take us to Children's. When we arrived at Children's, they whisked us back to a triage room and started poking and prodding on my tiny baby. One of the attending doctors asked if I would consent to a spinal tap to check for meningitis, which I did and thankfully it was negative. They brought in a pediatric cardiologist to do an echo. I remember thinking that it was taking WAY too long! After he finished his exam, he came over to talk to us. It was all a blur. I remember walking behind my little baby in the huge hospital bed as she was being wheeled up to the PICU. I remember them telling us to wait in the waiting area while they got her "settled in". I vaguely remember the cardiologist sitting down with us again and showing us a drawing he had done of Kaitlyn's heart. I remember seeing his mouth move and hearing his voice but had no idea what was saying. I felt like I was in a fog. I had no idea what was going on! All I knew was that our world had been turned upside down! In a nutshell, Kaitlyn has what's called Shone's complex. We were told it's a rare disorder consisting of at least 4 heart defects in the left side of her heart. Her defects are: a Bicuspid Aortic Valve, Hypoplastic ascending aorta, Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), mitral valve stenosis, fenestrated atrial septum, coarctation of the aorta, and multiple ventriculal septal defects (VSD's). She underwent her first surgery September 29th, 2011 at 5 weeks old. They repaired her coarctation and put a pulmonary band on to try to even up the pressures going to her lungs. Since that surgery, Kaitlyn has been nothing short of a miracle! Looking at her, you'd never know! She left the hospital on .5mg twice a day of Enalapril (a blood pressure medicine), which has NEVER had to be adjusted! Today, she's an active 17 month old and is right where she's supposed developmentally. She walks, she talks, she dances, she climbs, she does the "Itsy Bitsy Spider". Her weight is on the lower end. She's in the 3% for weight for babies her age. She had an appointment last week with a nutritionist. Today, she weighed 17lbs 15 ounces; up 13 ounces from last week!!! We'll be going to the cardiologist again in March. We saw him in October, and he decided that since the band was still doing it's job and since she was doing so well, let her grow!!! I'll call in February to make that appointment and we'll go from there! Aside from her heart condition, Kaitlyn has some chromosome disorders. She has a chromosome 3 deletion which she inherited from her daddy and a chromosome 13 isochromosome. The geneticist she sees told us that not enough is known about our DNA. They can't blame the heart condition on this chromosome, but they can't rule it out either. Either way, she's ours and she's PERFECT!!!

Feb. 8- CHD Awareness- Auriana's Story

Auriana Faith was born on September 17, 2008 after I spent several weeks in the hospital on monitors due to umbilical cord absent flow and pre-eclampsia. An ultrasound around 18 weeks revealed that Auriana had a severe heart defect known as AV Canal Defect and possibly a chromosome abnormality. When she was born 5 weeks early, Auri weighed just 3 lbs. 10 oz. We found that she had Down Syndrome and a heart defect. She got her first echo-cardiogram at just 1 day old! We were told that Auriana had Complete AV Canal Defect-- No walls in her heart at all!! All her blood mixed up together. She was too weak to eat and had to be NG Tube fed. She had her first open heart surgery around 4 months old. In this surgery, the surgeon went into her heart to build the walls out of gortex patches. She did well and was in the hospital about 10 days. She never learned to eat properly though and was tube fed until she was 29 months old. We were told that Auriana may need another open heart surgery at 10-15 years old to replace the gortex. She was followed by a cardiologist every 6 months. In July of 2011, however, we noticed her tiring more easily and turning purple often. I called and made her a cardiologist appointment. When her cardiologist did an echo he noticed that she had narrowing in her aorta or aortic stenosis. She has another open heart surgery-- subaortic membrane resectioning--in September of 2011, just before her 3rd birthday! They left some of the membrane intact thinking that it was better to leave some since the conduction system of the heart is located in this area. The surgeon explained that he didn't want to risk her needing a pacemaker placed and wanted to give her more time to grow. He said she would probably need another surgery in 3-5 years to open up the aorta some more. Just a few weeks ago Auriana begin having chest pains and after a cadiac cath was done, we were told that the narrowing in Auriana's aorta was measuring around 80 percent (which was higher than it was prior to her previous surgery just 15 months ago!) She also had developed narrowing all the way up into her left ventricular outflow tract (LVOTO- Left Ventricular outflow tract obstruction). She needed surgery, once again, within the month! We went into this surgery on January 25, 2013 with an extremely high probability of her needing a pacemaker and with an expectation for a 6-8 hour surgery. Just 4 hours after surgery began, it was completed and Auriana amazingly had her own heart rhythm!! We will be heading home tomorrow, January 28, just 3 days after surgery!! We are hoping not to need anymore surgeries until the gortex replacement around 10 to 15 years old. Auriana has been a little trooper though! She is so strong and has taught me to be thankful for the little things in life! Auriana has a 7 year old sister, Kylee, and a 1 year old sister, Lily Hope who have been a huge support to her during her surgery! She wants to get better to go home and see her sisters! We thank God daily for being with Auriana and allowing us the blessing of raising her, Kylee, and Lily!! My life would not be the same without my 3 little girls in it!
ps. please forgive me if this story is not well written, this momma has been in and out of the hospital with Auri over the past 3 weeks. 1 ER visit and 4 day stay for chest pains, another hospital stay for vomiting, and finally her surgery. Mommy is tired but so happy to see Auri's heartrate within normal range for a change. (she used to have heartrates in the 40's while sleeping, last night she was reading in the 80's while sleeping. It is such a great feeling to know your child's heart has been repaired and is functioning well. It makes all this worth it!

Feb. 7- CHD Awareness- Lauren's Story

I was born in August of 1987, supposedly a healthy baby girl. I was taken home and thrived. A few weeks after coming home I started to display some things that worried my parents. I was throwing up everything I ateand was developing a rash all over my body. My mom took me to my pediatrician and they told her “I was fine”. My mom knew I wasn’t. Not only her second child, but my mom was a dietitian and had some medical knowledge; she knew something was wrong. My mom took me to the pediatrician’s once a week for 6 weeks, yet the doctors still insisted I was fine, just a mucousy baby. One morning when I was 11 weeks old my mom found that I was breathing very heavy and turning bluish-gray around my mouth. She took me to my pediatrician again and demanded a local hospital to admit me (back then my parents were on health insurance that you needed a request for admittance for tests by the primary doctor). My pediatrician and a nurse checked me over, again… this time they heard a murmur so finally they agreed I needed testing done. I was rushed to the nearest ER and an on call intern who looked at me first just had learned all about Congenital Heart Defects, so he knew it was most likely my heart. I was taken to get a chest x-rays and when he came back said that my heart was very enlarged and most of the right side of my heart was missing. Children’s hospital was called and an ambulance got ready to take me. Once my mom was told what was going on; she called my dad who came from work right away as well as my grandparents. My mom was not allowed to ride in the ambulance due to not enough room. They told my parents I was in severe heart failure and they didn’t know if I’d make it to the hospital. My parents had been thrown into every parent’s WORST nightmare!!

I made it to the hospital and was stabilized. My cardiologist (well the one I had the first 22 years of my life), told my parents I have a Congenital Heart Defect called Tricuspid Atresia, Hypoplastic Right Ventricle (which simply means I only had one working ventricle (my left) or half a working heart) and that I had to have an emergency heart cauterization to re-rip a hole in my heart so blood could flow better. My cardiologist was kind and caring to my parents. I was sent home a few days later on a few medications and a special formula which consisted of concentrated Isomil with polycoseadded (basically formula with tons of calories/fat added)so I could gain weight as I needed to be at least ten pounds for my first open heart surgery which I would have between 3-6 months of age! My mom tells me it was a grueling task to get me to eat and keep down all my formula. She told me it took about an hour for one ounce and she needed to feed me every hour with a syringe. I still very sick and due to a late diagnosis my Pulmonary Artery was about 3-4 times the size it should be, but could not be fixed till I was stronger. That Pulmonary Artery could have popped at any time before my first open heart surgery and would have killed me. Looking at pictures you would never know how sick I was. If that wasn’t a big enough task to take care of me, my parents had my older brother, Ryan, to look after who at the time was only 4 1/2years old and carried a lot of germs that could make me very sick. Of course Ryan adored me so it was hard to keep him away from me. It wasn't easy for them, but they had family to help out and support them. My parents kept strong for me and held onto faith that I would be ok. My parents didn't want to accept that something might happen to me.

In early February of 1988 I had my first open heart surgery called the Pulmonary Artery banding. It was to help the blood flow in my heart and lungs until I was old enough to have a procedure called the Fontan. The surgery went well. Though it was successful in its purpose it didn’t make it any easier on my parents and family. I was still a sick little baby, but my parents never lost hope that I would be ok! As for complications, I had one code blue called during my 10 day recovery because I pulled out my breathing tube, but after that all was well!Soon after returning home I got dangerously sick with RSV! I was taken back to Children's Hospital andadmitted. I spent a few weeks recovering from RSV on lots of medication. My dad tells me my crib has a bubble thingy over it to help me breathe and for breathing treatments (I don’t know the proper name for it). After returning home from recovering, everything went well and my parents as well as my older brother adjusted. I was born with other medical issues, one is an eye muscle disease called Estropia (“Crossed Eyes”), I did patch therapy as a baby and then had my first eye muscle surgery at 18 months old; which was during the time in between my two open heart surgeries. Despite everything, I was a happy baby and smiled a lot!

On November 21, 1989, my parents handed me over to the doctors for my second and riskiest open heart surgery, the Modified Fontan Palliation. It had only been a month before during a heart cauterization that I developed a blood clot in my right leg and scared my parents, now it was one of the biggest days for them and for me. The Fontan was a surgery still a fairly new operation (about 15yrs old). This surgery was either going save my life, take my life, or have my parents looking for other options and my parents knew that all too well. About a 50-60% of me surviving with my specific case waswhat the doctors bluntly told my parents, but my parents hung onto all positives. My parents had a lot of faith in the doctors and God that I would come out ok. I cameout of surgery ok, I was alive! As far as complications that I had from this surgery, I had a chest tube issue (they had to put it back in while my parents held me down as they didn’t have enough nurses around at the time), a SVT/very fast heart rate scare where I coded, apacemaker scare (never got one though, I'm very grateful for that) and I was put on a special diet (medium chain triglyceride diet). All things considered, I did pretty well with recovery. I was discharged from the hospital exactly one month after my surgery which was four days before Christmas 1989. My family had every reason to celebrate. I did too! I got out my mom’s lotion the day I got home and went to town putting it all over myself. I was happy and alive. What more could my parents and family want?

After that second surgery I was as healthy you can be having severe heart condition or “half a heart”. I had years in between the second surgery and any minor concerns. I went to my cardiologist once a year and was on a few medications, other than that I was doing great. I had another eye muscle surgery when I was 8, I got four stitches in the my bottom lip from getting hit be a swing when I was 8.

I got a little brother, named Aaron, when I was 11 years old and that was wonderful; I'd hold him as much as I could. Aaron and I are very close. When I was six my mom got me into acting classes; she signed me up to the family theater in our city. I was in plays till I was twelve when the family theatre group closed. I enjoyed being on stage and it made me feel on top of the world. It is something I will always remember; even my mom was in the plays with me! For my parents and family to see me up on stage happy and alive was so extremely exciting for them. I bowled, started at age 5, which I loved and years later I ended up being on my high school girlsvarsity bowling team. I enjoyed playing with my little brother, Aaron, as well as watching my older brother, Ryan’s, basketball and baseball games. Both my brothers have always been loving and supportive to me.

I was a pretty “normal” child and teenager in most aspects (I did have some limitations though) and for the most part I was a very happy child that loved to talk, to people I knew anyways (I was shy around people I didn't know). Socially I had some trouble and go teased a lot (I was shy, had glasses, couldn’t keep up with other kids during gym/recess and was not allowed to play contact sports), but I did end up making a friend or two which is all I really needed to be happy. Even in tough times I tried to have a positive outlook and have a smile on my face. I loved to write and still do, I have always enjoyed talking, and many of the simple things in life. Unless you knew I had a severe heart condition, than you probably could not tell other than the scars on my chest. My parents were open and honest about my heart my whole life, even when I was young. They always explained things to me in age appropriate ways and only what I needed to know. My mom would always tell me to listen to my body, if I was tired in an activity then stop or if I didn’t feel right then tell someone right away. I became very good at this. Though by age 10, I knew the name of my heart condition, that I’ve had open heart surgeries, what medications I take, etc, but I just did not know the all the seriousness of it. My parents always supported and encouraged me. They always would let me know how special I was and God had big plans for me. I was very Myparents never let me give up on things and gave me a pretty “normal” childhood. I’m thankful for that!

At age 14 I was diagnosed with yet another medical issue, congenital scoliosis, meaning I was born with an extra vertebrae in my back and hips not aligned that caused mild to moderate scoliosis of my back. My back is monitored, but because of my heart, not much can be done. I can get bad back pain, but it something I live with and I try not to have it get in the way of living my life.

It wasn’t till the summer I turned 16 where my health changed for me; it was a turning point so to speak. I broke out into hives all over my body for no reason early one morning and I was so scared. I remember going from doctor to doctor and even my cardiologist, getting my blood taken, getting my heart looked at, everything to find out what was wrong. I was in so much pain because the hives were on my joints too and it was hard to move. Finally, after three months of steroids, being off my heart medications, and being watched 24/7. The hives went away and to this day no one has a clue what happened. From then I realized that anything can happen and I was so grateful and blessed for what I have. I held onto my faith in God, but there were times I questioned everything (and I still do sometimes), but I try to find peace. Since then life has not been easy for me, but it certainly can be worse and I don’t take a thing for granted.

I was diagnosed with exercise and stress induced SuperaVentricular Tachycardia (SVT’s aka very fast heart rate), when I was 18 and I’m on a low dose of a beta-blocker for that (which calms the vessels in my heart so it doesn’t race). When I first got the symptoms of the SVT’s it was scary for me. I had night sweats, bad chest pain, hard to breath, and harder to do daily activates. I was so scared that I didn’t even tell my parents right away, I know now that I should have and I should ALWAYS tell someone if something isn’t right, but it was hard for me to accept that something was wrong. Since the beta-blockers I have been SO much better, but I still struggle with on and off chest pain. It can get frustrating, but I deal with it the best way I can. Since then, I’ve also been diagnosed with muscle spasms (a year ago), mostly on the left side of my body that is usually stress or anxiety induced. I had my third eye surgery in July of 2008 and all went well. I’ve had one trip to the ER of Children’s in July of 2009 due to bad food poisoning. Since 2010, I've been having issues with weird heart beats and some minor heart rate issues, I wore a 30 day heart monitor in Sept. 2011 and it didn't find anything too concerning, just some non harmful palpitations.

Every day I have little reminders that I have a CHD; from my scars to my medications to my on and off pain to getting tired easily. They remind me that each day I’m ever so blessed and grateful to be alive. These reminders also keep fear with me, fear of the unknown and worry, things that are so hard to push completely out of my mind. This CHD has impacted my personality in many ways. My CHD has helped in my very emotional personality, my stubbornness, my bluntness about things, my kindness, and my care for others. It has taught me to be more understanding of people around me, has taught me not to take life for granted, to love the people you care about with all you heart, and to enjoy the simple things in life. It has given me a motivation to help others and to always have faith. I’m thankful for my life; I’ve been very blessed in so many ways. I have two parents who have done SO much for me over the years to bring me to this point in my life, the fought so hard to get me here healthy and happy. For that I will always be internally grateful to my parents, I love them VERY much!! I also have a wonderful family including two grandparents, two brothers, and a niece who I love dearly!! I also have an amazing husband, named Christopher, whom I love so much!! Chris is my rock and best friend. I also achieved my goal of graduating college! I graduated college with a BA in Psychology in 2011. I have big plans for my future including publishing my own book. Though I have a tendency to think negatively sometimes, I’ve been trying my hardest to think more positively!

I will keep spreading CHD Awareness and telling my story!! I have LOTS of Hope that ONE DAY CHDs will be more publicized and researched so that more children will be saved!! My CHD will never go away, but I will take what I can from it and keep living my life to the fullest with lots of smiles, laughs, love, and special memories. I try not to let me CHD define me because I’m so much more than a CHD. I LOVE my life and I consider my mended heart a gift!!

Facebook Page: Lauren's Heart: Living a Full Life with "Half a Heart"