Jan
16
Posted by:
CaptainCardio
1/16/2013 11:03 AM
I was born in May of 1988 in Pittsburgh, PA. At birth I was a "blue baby" who lacked oxygen and doctors recognized this as a cardiac concern. I was immediately transported to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and underwent open heart surgery at 6 days of age.
I was the one of the only children born at this time who had the surgery at such a young age. My heart was the size of a quarter. Most children were required to wait until they were at least 2 years of age before they were able to receive surgery. However, my situation was so severe I would have died in days if I had not been treated. My defect is called Transposition of the Great Vessel. And it is only now, at 24 years of age that I am beginning to understand what that means, and what it means for my health.
I recently transitioned out of childhood and into the ACHD realm, and recently had my first MRI. I am definitely not your average young adult! I was very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to survive, and discovering this has been a lifelong process. I have always valued my life and safety above all else, as I believe that I was given life for a reason. My chest scar is my battle scar!