Elizabeth, born 2003

I'm so happy to have found your website!  I've enjoyed looking at it and was hoping to share my story of hope, if it will anybody else in a similar situation.

 

When my daughter Elizabeth was born, doctors noted that she had a small heart murmur but assured me that this happens in many infants and would likely resolve itself in time. Elizabeth seemed fine so I was a little surprised when her pediatrician referred us to a cardiologist when she was about 2 1/2 years old because the murmur was still there. I figured it was one of those "just to make sure" visits, more to rule something out than because of a serious problem. After all, she looked fine and never lacked for energy!  But when they performed an EKG and an ultrasound at the doctor's office, even I could see that her heart was not working normally. The cardiologist said she had an Atrial Septal Defect or ASD. I was devastated. My poor baby! We delayed the surgery for a while because she was very thin for her size.

 

She ended up having the hole in her heart repaired by a cardiac catheterization when she was 5 years old.  I was shocked by how quickly she recovered! After a day lounging on the couch at home, she was running around the cul-de-sac with her friends and chasing everyone around.  Her biggest concern? Taking off the Band-Aid from the site of the incision. I truly realized how far she had come when in the space of two very busy days; Elizabeth played in an all-star soccer tournament, rode horses at a horseback riding camp, and performed two routines in a dance recital. Nothing is holding her back!

 

Thanks so much for your wonderful website, it is tremendously helpful for me as a parent!

 

Story by Elizabeth's mom, Daisy - VIRGINIA