Mended Hearts Open Forum

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  • 1.  An Introduction

    Posted 06-24-2020 12:25
    Hi, everyone!

    I am new to all of this but I am excited that this community exists. My name is Kirsten and I am 22 from Oklahoma. I have a wonderful husband, Hayden, and two daughters - Madilyn (2) and McKenna (1 Week). My daughter, McKenna, was born June 13, 2020 and after an hour or so of holding her, she went pale, shaky, and the doctors heard a murmur. They decided to fly her to OU Children's Hospital in Oklahoma City. She was then diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot with Pulmonary Atresia. She was originally going to have a stent placed in her PDA via catheter on Monday, but it failed twice during and her oxygen dropped dramatically. With that, she underwent her first open heart surgery yesterday. Upon looking at the scans, the surgeon decided to abandon the plan to stent the PDA, and instead stented her pulmonary arteries. It was very scary, and we are still a little unsure about what exactly happened as it was so much information. We will probably get those answers today when we can grasp a little more information. She did really well last night, so she should be getting closed up today in the CVICU. Her next surgery will be to place a valve between her two ventricles in the next 6-9 months. 

    I can't help but think what could've happened if the nurse at our hometown's hospital didn't act so quickly. I truly wonder if she would be here at all. I am so grateful.

    I am looking forward to virtually meeting all of you, and I am sure I will learn so much from all of you and your stories. It was all over the place, but it helped a little to write this out and, of course, it gave me something to do here in the CVICU when I can't even hold her. 

    I will be reading your stories and praying for you all. 

    To start a discussion: any must-have items you suggest I invest in before we start the journey home?

    Kirsten H.

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    Kirsten Handley
    Stay-At-Home Mom
    Lawton, OK
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  • 2.  RE: An Introduction

    Posted 06-25-2020 15:42
    Welcome, Kirsten. I'm so sorry to hear about the challenges facing you and your family. I don't know much about it, but this website also as a Little Mended Hearts forum for families whose kids have cardiac problems. You might want to check it out.

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    Jean McMillan
    TN
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