Makenzie, born 2004

Makenzie was born on July 6, 2004 with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Her journey through all this has by no means been an easy one and has been extremely rocky at times. Makenzie's first surgery was at 7 days (Norwood), her second was at 4 months (Glenn), her third was at 4 years old (Fontan) and her last one was May 10th, 2010 (Tricuspid Valve repair).

 

On top of these, she had a G-tube placed, fundoplication, a duodenum repair where she was given a 50 percent chance to live, tonsils and adenoids removed, a frenulectomy, six heart caths, and had to have chest tubes re-inserted twice. She also had issues dealing with keeping her oxygen up, blood clots (I had to give her shots daily in the leg for 2 months), dialysis, a leaky tricuspid valve, pneumonia, arrhythmias, tachycardia, hypertension, paralyzed vocal cord, collapsed lung, sepsis, pleural effusions, being fed through a G-tube, several admissions to the hospital, physical and occupational therapy, wore shoe braces due to turned ankles, shortness of breath and her newest diagnosis, Plastic Bronchitis. She has also had countless blood draws, IV placements, chest x-rays, echocardiograms, and EKGs.

 

Today, you would never know how much she has been and continues to go through unless she lifts up her shirt. Having a child with a life threatening condition has changed me. It brings out strength in you that you never knew you had, it makes you appreciate the little things in life, it makes you fear that every memory you make together may be your last, and it teaches you that miracles do happen. Makenzie is loved and prayed for by so many people; she has the best support system from family, friends, nurses and people who have never personally met her. We do not know what the future holds for Makenzie, what we do know is she was sent to us for a reason and we feel very blessed.  

 

Story by Makenzie's mom, Harmony - MISSOURI