I walk because I know that with every step, I am saving lives.
The Story of Preston Bodden, the Heart Ninja!
In March of 2019, at 8 months of age our son, Preston, was diagnosed with a heart abnormality called a Subaortic Stenosis or Subaortic Membrane. This was thankfully discovered by his Pediatrician as it presented like a heart murmur but with a distinct and different sound. After being referred Capital Distric Pediatric Cardiology and Dr. Robin Doyle we learned that, while serious, this abnormality was one that could be fixed which was a relief. The downside to this news was that the only way to solve the problem was to remove the growth and this was done via open heart surgery- SCARY!
Preston was immediately given a monitoring plan where we would visit the team in Albany quarterly to monitor the data. We also decided to make a trip to Boston to meet the Prediatric Cardiology team at Boston Children's Hospital. Dr. Doyle connected us with a fantastic cardiologist in Boston, Dr. David Kane, and over the next few years Preston monitored reguarly by both teams. We also decided Preston would have his surgery in Boston under the incredibly capable hands of Dr. David Hoganson. By April 2021 "the numbers" showed it was time for surgery so we connected with the Boston team and got everything scheduled for a June surgery. But first, a week before the scheduled surgery, Preston would need to head to Boston for some pre-opertive testing and a Cardiac Catheterization. After the first day of preliminary testing Dr. Kane was flabbergasted to see that Preston's number had somehow lowered to where they were in 2018 when diagnosed! This was likely due to the rate he was growing but nobody knew. So, after weeks of agonizing and emotionally preparation for surgery we were sent home after 3 hours and Preston was put back on monitoring. After a few more month of moniroting, it was decided in January of 2022, that it was time for Preston to have his surgery.
On Monday March 14th Preston underwent a succesfful open heart surgery with Dr. Hoganson and, to the shock of the staff, recovered at a lightning fast pace and discharged that Friday and sent home. After a coupke weeks of attempting to "take it slow", which is impossible for the Ninja, Preston was back in action as if nothing had happened.
While there were many lessons learned during this journey there were two that stood out to us. The first real eye opener came when we fist visited Boston Children's and it immeditely became clear that while our son had something major to deal with he was VERY healthy and lucky compared to the other children at the hospital. The second was that we are so fortunate to have access to world class medical care close by, in Albany and Boston, and that the medical professionals have access to research funded by the American Heart Association.
