Surgery Number 3

John and Lisa were absolutely devastated by this situation.  They were completely exhuasted and felt so helpless and defeated.  June 17th was Kelsey's first birthday.  There were no balloons, no cake or birthday songs.   All of these things were robbed from her as she struggle to survive.  Quite late that night as everyone watched the frail little child breathe, in walked in the best birthday present Kelsey could ever get.  An renowned pediatric cardiac surgeon, who was a specialist in Kelsey's valve condition.  Within minutes, Kelsey's third open heart surgery was being planned for the very next day.

Kelsey’s parents were told that she needed a valve replacement but she was just too small, too frail. The goal of this surgery was to save her tiny valve that measured only 9mm. She needed to grow, her heart needed to grow so a replacement could be done, maybe in two years. The surgery was described as “much more of a risk” due to her tiny nine pound size. She was so fragile, so depleted of nutrition, her body not having the opportunity to replenish itself. Her post-op course would be longer, harder, and more complicated. John and Lisa stood by her side, never leaving the hospital. After 62 days, Kelsey was again discharged home, her valve thought to be repaired. Kelsey went home after her third open heart surgery, more depleted of nutritional resources than ever. Only home for forty eight hours, Kelsey was unable to sleep nights, unable to tolerate any of her feedings and vomiting. Her oxygen level dropped and she turned blue. Completely terrified, Lisa and John dialed 911. Kelsey was rushed back to Children’s Hospital where a catheter was inserted into her heart to try and save the struggling child. The increased pressure caused the valve in her heart to tear. Her valve was damaged beyond repair. Kelsey would now need a fourth surgery. However, this time she would need a complete valve replacement.