Sophia, born 2011

My little sister was born in 1993 and diagnosed with HLHS when she was 1 day old. When I got pregnant with my son in 2010 we had to travel to Colorado for my 20 week ultrasound. We were relieved to hear he was fine. A little over a year later we had to make the same trip for our second child, who was diagnosed with HLHS at my 20 week ultrasound, 10 minutes after we found out we were having a little girl.

 

They sent us to the children's hospital of Colorado for some testing. Sure enough, our little girl had a heart problem. They gave us 3 options: terminate the pregnancy, do the 3 staged procedure or a heart transplant. After thinking about it and researching, we decided that the 3 staged procedure would be the best way to go for us.

 

Sophia had her first surgery at 3 days old on August 22, 2011. She was in the CICU for 10 days then got moved up to the CPCU for 4 1/2 more weeks (she ended up getting NEC, a nasty stomach infection) had her 2nd surgery early, when she was 3 months old, had it on November 22, 2011. Was in the CICU for 3 weeks due to a cold, but is doing amazing! She'll be out of the hospital soon and will be home to play with her brother.

 

My daughter is one of the strongest people I know, even after everything she's been through, she still smiles!!!!

 

Story by Sophia’s mom, Krysta – Wyoming