Ellie was born on 1/18/22 after a healthy twin pregnancy with Ellie being baby a and Sophie being baby b. Upon delivery we were told Ellie would need to go to the Nicu for monitoring because her oxygen was low. I took Sophie to recovery with me in the hopes of the girls being reunited the following day. We found out on 1/19 less than one day later that Ellie had a Congenital Heart Defect called Tetrology of Fallot and not only would she not be coming back to my room with me, she was being transferred to Yale for potential surgery.
On 1/27/22 Ellie underwent her first open heart surgery for shunt placement to keep her alive. She spent 9 weeeks in the PICU and came home with a feeding tube, constant oxygen monitoring and weekly appointment. At 6 months old she had another open heart surgery to "correct" her heart and then in March of 2024 she had one last open heart surgery to open her LPA to allow blood flow to her left lung and avoid pulmonary hypertension. Not to mention the numerous catheter procedures she has also been through in her short 3 years of life.
Today Ellie is an energetic, hilarious pistol of a toddler. If you were to take one look at her without reviewing her medical history you might think I am speaking of the wrong child. She is unstoppable, a warrior and our hero! Ellie had taught us that every single moment counts and if she can fight to live, to thrive we all should do the same!
We are raising money for the continued life saving research that keeps kids like Ellie alive. Without these on going advances so many kids like Ellie wouldn't be able to live the normal lives we all take granted!
