I'm walking and fundraising in honor of my very own CHD Warrior, my daughter, Campbell.
Campbell was diagnosed in utero at 20 weeks with several congenital heart defects, including Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA). With TGA, the two main arteries of the heart that carry blood to the lungs and body (pulmonary and aorta) are switched in position, the reverse of a normal heart. This means that oxygen-poor (blue) blood is sent to the body instead of the lungs, and oxygen-rich (red) blood is returned to the lungs instead of the body. Babies cannot live with TGA without treatment.
At three days old, Campbell underwent open heart surgery to repair her TGA and a large Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), which is a hole in the pumping chamber of the heart. She spent several days recovering in the Pediactric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Campbell was a fighter from day one. It was clear that she was determined to go home to meet her big sister! At 11 days old, just eight days post open heart surgery, Campbell was discharged from the hospital (on her dad's birthday to boot)!
Today, she is a thriving five-year-old. Although her heart health will always be a part of her journey, we're here to remind her that she can do hard things!
By participating in the Heart Walk, I hope to spread awareness of CHDs and raise funds for critical research.
