I will be participating in the American Heart Association's Heart Walk in honor of my 14 year-old son, Connor, and others like him who were born with a Congenital Heart Defect and others affected by heart disease. We are raising awareness and money to support American Heart Association's research. Connor would not be with us today, had it not been for the medical advances and he continues to benefit from them. After his last open heart surgery at 6 months of age, we were told he would need another open-heart surgery when he was 2, 8 or 9, teenager and when he is 20-something. Thankfully that day has not come for us!
In September 2018, Connor returned to Iowa City for a catheterization procedure (thru the groin) where they placed 4 stents and a Melody valve in his conduit (the cow's artery that created a pulmonary artery for him) to stretch it to avoid open heart and buy us more time. Now they are staying we should have another 7 years before medical intervention is needed. Connor will still be monitored with his annual checks up which include EKGs & ECHOs and the occasional lung scan and/or MRI.
Connor is a smart, funny, caring teen... and I can not imagine what my life would have been like without him! I am eternally grateful for the medical team, medicine, medical advances and for God letting us keep him, and for Connor never giving up!
Thank you in advance for your support & your continued support (for those of you who continue to donate year after year), to this cause that means so much to us and other families affected by CHD. God Bless!