I was born on October 16, 1984 in Chickasha, Oklahoma. When I was born, they didn't do ultrasound during pregnancies like they do now, so the one ultrasound my mom had didn't show the doctors that I had a heart defect. So my heart defect was a big surprise. When I was born, my parents were told I have "hypoplastic right heart" which means I have three chambers in my heart instead of four. At 22 hours old I had my first open heart surgery. I was in the hospital 8 days. I spent most of the next two years in and out of the hospital, because it seemed like I caught everything that came around. A simple cold for my sister or parents could turn into pneumonia for me.

When I turned three, my parents were told that I would soon need a second surgery, so after talking to a few doctors, they were told that a hospital on the east coast was having really good survival rates with a surgery called the Fontan. So my Dad put in for a transfer with the company he was with and off we moved to Virginia. My parents found a pediatrician in Chester, Virginia and he made me an appointment with Dr. Moskowitz at MCV Hospital in Richmond. I had my second surgery, the Fontan, on June 28,1988 (my parents 6th anniversary!) I was in the hospital 21 days: 13 in ICU, 8 in a private room.

Since then I have done really well. I went to elementary school, middle school and even to my senior prom! I graduated high school in 2004. I still live at home with my parents, but that's OK cause it's called FREE RENT ha-ha....I still see my friend and doctor, Dr. Moskowitz every year. I still take several meds a day, but that's also OK cause my future looks GREAT!