John, born 2013

After seven months of trying for our second child, we were happy to find out we were having a baby boy. With a family full of Johns and my husband being a junior, we knew that our little guy would be a third. After he was born on his due date, we were so happy to finally complete our family. Johnny joined my husband and I as well his big sister Averie, who's 2 1/2 years older.

 

During his newborn checkup, our pediatrician discovered he had a murmur. They waited three days to see if it would close on is own, and when it didn't, he recommended we see a pediatric cardiologist, Dr. Kerstein. She examined him that Friday and diagnosed him with TOF. Coming from a family that already experienced a death from an aortic aneurysm and a successful aortic dissection (my fathers was repaired 13 years ago) I knew somewhat what to expect. Dr. Kerstein recommended Dr Q of Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in NYC. I knew we were in great hands because that's where my father had his surgery. The bedside manner from all the doctors at the hospital and Dr Kerstein has been phenomenal.

 

We planned for his repair to be at 4 months old, but after his 2 month vaccinations and an acid reflux flare up, he started to become symptomatic with pre-tet spells. Using a mother’s intuition and the support from Dr K, she sent us straight down to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. Then began a two day observation. Johnny began to drop with oxygen saturation the following day. Two days later, the decision to push up his surgery was made and was a complete success. We couldn't have been happier with the choice of doctors that we made and are overwhelmed with the bedside and family derived manner that each one of our doctors and nurses has showed.

 

Story by John’s mom, Jaime – New York