I walk because I know that with every step, I am saving lives.
3 miles seems like nothing, when you think about it in comparison, to Finley enduring open-heart surgery at just 4 years old.
My son, Finley, at 2 days old, was diagnosed with a Small Restrictive Supracristal Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD).
** The Supracristal VSD is the least common type of VSD in the Western Hemisphere,
accounting for approximately 2%-5% of all defects in this part of the world. This specific defect can cause significant aortic insufficiency secondary to prolapse of the aortic valve. When this occurs, surgical repair of the defect and suspension of the aortic valve is indicated.
When Finley was a month old, the cardiologist determined that as well as the Small Supracristal VSD, Finley also had a Mild Pulmonary Valve Stenosis. In January 2018, we found out about Finley's third heart condition, a Small Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO). Fortunately, by that time, the murmurs had not gotten any larger in size and we were told to plan for Finley to have surgery, to close the Small Restrictive Supracristal VSD, prior to his first birthday. In January 2019, our prayers had been answered and the open-heart surgery we thought we would be planning was put on the back burner. Since Finley was continuing to progress and stay ahead of his milestones, and the murmurs were not affecting his everyday life, we were to treat Finley as a normal child and continue our follow-up care.
In January 2021, Finley's cardiologist, here in Jacksonville Florida, determined that his Aortic Valve was showing signs of being warped due to his Small Restrictive Supracristal Ventricular Septal Defect. The surgeon at Wolfson’s Children's Hospital agreed with his cardiologists’ findings and expressed concerns that Finley's Aortic Valve was prolapsing and leaking.
In August 2021, Finley underwent open-heart surgery, to patch and repair his VSD.
While the bravery and resilience my son has shown and continues to show is proof of what a remarkable child he is, Finley continues to teach us what it means to be strong, not just physically, but in the words entirety.
Finley has faced a lot of scary things and with each encounter, he has overcame and made triumphs of each circumstance- whether that be, when he was being wheeled into an operating room and going under anesthesia or sitting up in his hospital bed for the first time the next day, walking across his hospital room floor or the scavenger hunts for his hot wheel cars scattered throughout the Cardiovascular ICU corridor… oftentimes, it is easy to show up when you know things will go well, but when you’re faced with so much uncertainty, uncertainty of what he will feel or if he was even ready- Finley was always up for the challenge. Sure, there was some analysis prior to each scenario, but he was not down for long. Finley’s recovery has been without excuses on his behalf (minus the diuretic he takes twice a day), without any self-sabotage and has in turn, been filled with his infectious giggle and silly remarks!
This boy still has obstacles to overcome, but I am confident that as he faces each future obstacle, he will continue to not only show up, but to kill it, and then move onto the next!
Thank you for the continued prayers and friendship!! We continue to be amazed by all the wonderful people in our lives and are so humbled!!
Your donation will fund groundbreaking research that literally keeps hearts beating and helps people have longer, healthier lives.
This year, as we celebrate the Centennial of the American Heart Association, we will move health and well-being forward in important and critical ways. This relentless pursuit will continue until heart disease and stroke no longer exist.
I ask that you join Finley and I, and team, Finley's Special Heart, as we take part in the 2024 First Coast Heart Walk! Saturday, October 5th, 2024 | 7:30 AM Festival Area Opens | 9:00 AM Walk Begins | Location: Jacksonville Fairgrounds - 510 Farigrounds Place, Jacksonville, FL 32202
To join Finley's team, or to donate to his team, please visit: http://www2.heart.org/goto/finleyspecialheart
Have a heart and help me reach my goal today.
