Sarah Bailey's Open Heart Fund

On Friday September 27, 2013 our lives changed forever. My niece Sarah told her art teacher that her heart was "beeping" too fast and immediately started crying. The school called my sister to come get Sarah and that is when the roller coaster started.



The next morning Sarah woke up her mom saying she couldn't breathe. She was immediately rushed to the hospital and they determined her heart rate was elevated. After trying anxiety medications, they realized something more serious was at hand. The next array of tests included an EKG and CT scan. It was determined she has what is called an anomalous origin of the left coronary artery. The cardiologist met with his team and they all agreed open heart surgery was needed.


To be on the safe side my sister and her husband went for a second opinion in Houston at Texas Children's Hospital. The second hospital conducted another CT scan,a nuclear stress test, and echo-cardiogram. The second team of doctors came to the same conclusion that essentially Sarah's left artery somehow stems through her heart. With age her heart will slowly but surely pinch off the artery causing cardiac arrest. The doctors told us this condition is very rare for someone her age. Sarah will need monthly visits to carefully monitor her progress.

My niece had her surgery on 12/2/13 at the Texas Children's Hospital in Houston. She is recovering at home now and we all wait with bated breath to see how this amazing little girl will return to the healthy vibrant seven year we all know and love. We have a long road ahead of us filled with many doctor appointments, but we are keeping the faith. If one Facebook post can lead to a nation of Chivers coming to our aid...well then just about anything seems possible.