I became ill with the flu and was hospitalized. At that time my brother was living with me. When I was released from the hospital, he became ill with the flu. He, too, was hospitalized. At the hospital my brother learned that the doctor discovered an irregular heartbeat. After further testing the doctors told him that he was to have emergency open heart surgery. He was diagnosed with Mitral Valve Prolapse. They were concerned that he could have a massive heart attack if they did not operate immediately.
It all happened so fast and was like a dream. We were all in disbelief, as my brother was only 38 years old. Thank goodness for the ER doctor who discovered the irregular heartbeat and had a heart specialist look at him. If it wasn’t for the team of doctors involved, my brother would not be living today.
A few years after my brothers diagnosis, my sweet little cousin, Aubrey, was born. She was born with an undiagnosed congenital heart defect. Everything with her mother’s ultrasound and pregnancy was normal. She passed all her newborn screenings with flying colors. As she was being discharged from the hospital, a nurse noticed Aubrey’s skin tone was a little blue in color. A second pulse ox test was administered, and it's results told the doctors her blood oxygen was very low. After other testing, they performed an echocardiogram and confirmed the diagnosis: Aubrey had a congenital heart defect call Transposition of the Great Arteries. She was immediately airlifted to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, AR.
Aubrey underwent a procedure via heart catheter to stabilize her until the main surgery could be performed. Ten days after she was born, she had an arterial switch operation via open heart surgery to switch her arteries back to the correct location. The surgery was a success. After arriving back home, Aubrey became ill with a MRSA infection. Unfortunately, she was back in surgery to clear up the infection with antibiotics. Her chest was reopened so a wound vacuum could drain the infection. She was finally discharged at six weeks.
Aubrey did fantastic for many years. As she approached her fourth birthday, an echocardiogram was performed, as she went every six months. The family received news that she would have to endure another open heart surgery to widen her pulmonary artery. Her surgery was a success!
Aubrey is truly an amazing child. She is so tough. She’s proud of her chest scar because it is a symbol of her bravery. She’s a normal little girl enjoying life.
As a Go Red for Women Circle of Red member and Executive Leadership Team member, I want to make a difference and that is why I am involved with the American Heart Association. Supporting the AHA is saving lives and it matters, just see my personal stories. Every dollar and second matters.
