- J
- K
- I
Hi I am Leah's aunt, my niece Leah was born with Tetrology of Fallot with a shortened pulmonary artery which is a very serious serious heart condition.
Along with that, her body had made several collateral circulations( extra arteries and veins) to try to help itself while she was still in the womb. The collateral circulation did help her survive after delivery, but would not be able to sustain her as she got bigger. As needed as the collateral circulation was for survival at birth, it made for a huge problem for the heart surgeons to be able to correct her heart condition. As the doctors had to disconnect the collateral circulation, fix the Tetrology and lengthen the pulmonary artery using some of the collateral circulation they removed and keep her alive.
The bigger Leah was the better chance of the surgery going well, so from April 9th when she was born and until October 29th she grew, as they monitored her oxygen level. Once her Oxygen level went down to 75%, surgery could no longer be put off.
Leah's first surgery was 9 hours and she was on the ECMO machine. Prior to the surgery the surgeons felt that she would be in the cardiac ICU for 1 week, cardiac progressive care for a week and then cardiac rehab for a week, and 3 weeks at home recovering.
But Leah took baby steps (she is a baby) and she had some complications with recovery so was not able to meet those goals.
Well with complications, the pulmonary artery was still having problems keeping patent to keep pressure good. She has had 2 heart cath's since the first surgery, that have not worked, and she has gone back in for a 2nd major heart surgery today January 2nd. She has not left the Cardiac ICU for 65 days, and still could be another 6 weeks. Her Mom has not left her side, so has not been able to return to work as thought, but her dad has had to go back to work. Finances are really hard for her parents as the medical bills are stacking up, as this is a new year and a new deductible to meet.
If you can help out at all, our whole family would be extremely grateful, if you cannot help out financially, please keep this angel and her family in your prayers.
Leah when she was born
Leah getting bigger
Leah's 1st day of recovery after 1st surgery
Parents getting to hold Leah
This wee hawk says GO HAWKS
Leah starting to feel better
Leah's visit with Santa
Leah smiling before 2nd surgery at her mommy
Leah recovering from 2nd heart surgery. Already off the ventilator andhas chest tubes out.
Along with that, her body had made several collateral circulations( extra arteries and veins) to try to help itself while she was still in the womb. The collateral circulation did help her survive after delivery, but would not be able to sustain her as she got bigger. As needed as the collateral circulation was for survival at birth, it made for a huge problem for the heart surgeons to be able to correct her heart condition. As the doctors had to disconnect the collateral circulation, fix the Tetrology and lengthen the pulmonary artery using some of the collateral circulation they removed and keep her alive.
The bigger Leah was the better chance of the surgery going well, so from April 9th when she was born and until October 29th she grew, as they monitored her oxygen level. Once her Oxygen level went down to 75%, surgery could no longer be put off.
Leah's first surgery was 9 hours and she was on the ECMO machine. Prior to the surgery the surgeons felt that she would be in the cardiac ICU for 1 week, cardiac progressive care for a week and then cardiac rehab for a week, and 3 weeks at home recovering.
But Leah took baby steps (she is a baby) and she had some complications with recovery so was not able to meet those goals.
Well with complications, the pulmonary artery was still having problems keeping patent to keep pressure good. She has had 2 heart cath's since the first surgery, that have not worked, and she has gone back in for a 2nd major heart surgery today January 2nd. She has not left the Cardiac ICU for 65 days, and still could be another 6 weeks. Her Mom has not left her side, so has not been able to return to work as thought, but her dad has had to go back to work. Finances are really hard for her parents as the medical bills are stacking up, as this is a new year and a new deductible to meet.
If you can help out at all, our whole family would be extremely grateful, if you cannot help out financially, please keep this angel and her family in your prayers.
Leah when she was born
Leah getting bigger
Leah's 1st day of recovery after 1st surgery
Parents getting to hold Leah
This wee hawk says GO HAWKS
Leah starting to feel better
Leah's visit with Santa
Leah smiling before 2nd surgery at her mommy
Leah recovering from 2nd heart surgery. Already off the ventilator andhas chest tubes out.