It was in the quiet stillness of October 12, 2017, that everything changed. At about 4Ża.m., a gentle alarm stirred?a moment mistaken for nothing more than a simple bathroom trip. But instead of relief, there was alarm: bleeding. In an instant, me and your dad were rushing to the emergency room, hearts pounding. That morning, the doctors delivered news no expectant parent wants to hear?Complete Placenta Previa. And as if that weren?t enough, there was another concern: my heart condition of tetrogoly of fallot , for which bed rest became the order and your lifeline.
Safe within the confines of home, my mom followed every precaution, resting as the doctors advised. And on January 8, 2018, at St. Joseph?s Hospital in Tampa, i came into the world?tiny and fragile, at just 4 pounds 6 ounces. The hours that followed were fraught with worry as i were swiftly moved to the ICU. The machines whirred their steady hum, doctors moved in and out, and when the echo finally came, the news was heavy: Tetralogy of Fallot.
This wasn?t just one defect?it was four, each a challenge to overcome. Yet, amidst the gravity of the diagnosis, there was a moment of hope: at five months old, i was ready to conquer the world . On June 8, 2018, exactly five months after your birth, the surgical team?led by Dr. Gonzalez and Dr. Victor Morell at St. Joseph?s?stepped in. The operation was a beacon amid fear, a declaration that little warriors are made, not born.
Two weeks in the hospital turned into a lifetime of gratitude. Slowly, gently, you recovered. i came home to my mother?s embrace, my father?s watchful love, and big sister Aniyah, whose loyalty and affection knew no bounds. She was there for every moment, holding my hand in spirit, even when distance kept her in the hallway.
Today, i am seven years old?a milestone built on resilience. Every six months, parents and heart warrior walk into St. Joseph?s for check-ups. In July 2025, the news was as it often has been: a bit more leakage in your ventricle, something to monitor but nothing more. i am on losartan to help my heart and my spirit.
Life is not measured only by health; it?s measured in laughter and stories. i am the biggest sweetheart, positive and loving. Aniyah my big sister remains my biggest fan?she'd move mountains for me , because she believes in her little brother with all her heart.From a 24-week pregnancy clouded in uncertainty, through a courageous birth marked by complex heart surgery, to today?a thriving seven ?year old with a supportive family and an unbreakable spirit?M.J.?s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Every heartbeat echoes hope, every check up is a testament to care, and every moment at home is a celebration of life. TEAM MJ