Addison, born 2008

On January 8, 2008 our third child was born, very promptly as this was her due date. We only stayed in the hospital for one day and when we were discharged the doctor's said she had a heart murmur that "would probably go away." Three days later we went for a routine newborn check up with the pediatrician and she suggested we get the murmur checked out; 3 hours later, our lives changed dramatically.

 

Doctors did an echocardiogram and diagnosed her with Double Outlet Right Ventricle (DORV) with a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD). We were told she would need to have surgery before she was thirty days old, otherwise she would only have a fifty percent chance of survival. We immediately did lots of research and ended up finding Dr. Thomas Spray. Our decision was made, CHOP it was.

 

Addison's first surgery was January 30, 2008, a pulmonary artery band, her second a heart catheterization in November of 2008, and the Glenn on December 2nd. She left the hospital eight days after surgery on oxygen and on January 26, 2009 she had another catheterization done to place five coils which allowed her to come off of the oxygen. Addison will have to have another procedure done to complete her repair, the Fontan.

 

Addison's blood oxygen level is a low 85 which for her works. She tires fast but she definitely doesn't let it stop her. She is a very active and happy two year old!

 

We have met Addison's "heart twin", Marin, through reading her story on the STORIES page last year here on Little Hearts. Our families have only known each other for a year, but it feels like we've known each other our whole lives. Our friendship is priceless.

 

Addison is my hero. Her strength and courage is amazing. She has touched so many lives and she doesn't even know it!

 

Story by Addison's mom, Tiffany - PENNSYLVANIA