Ashley

We always knew that our new baby girl, Ashley, would change our lives forever. We just didn't know how and what the impact would be. When Ashley made her debut into this world she was a few weeks early, but from what we were told, she was just perfect. When we saw our regular pediatrician at Ashley's two week checkup, she knew immediately that there was something wrong. Ashley was diagnosed with Patent Ductus Arteriosis, Tetralogy of Fallot, and Pulmonary Artresia. She was transferred to Children's Medical Center in Dallas to have a central shunt put in by Dr. Nikaidoh. She did very well following the surgery, but had a difficult time gaining weight. By the age 15 months, she had a cardiac catheterization and second surgery to have a RV to PA Shelhigh conduit placed and VSD repair. Overall, Ashley is doing well. She runs and plays and laughs and talks. Two is such a great age! She currently (at age 24 months) is having moderate conduit stenosis and is facing another catheterization and probable surgery within the next few months.

There have been many questions we have asked ourselves. How could this have happened to us? We had never really even known of anyone with a child with CHD. There were many days we didn't know if we could even hold our heads up. This is a club no one wants to be a part of. But in time, we have learned once again that each and every day is such a gift from God. The things that we thought were problems before dimmed in light of what was really important. We have the best Doctors in the world! Dr. Elizabeth Dickey, our pediatrician, Dr. Tracy Laird, our PC, and Dr. Nikaidoh and Dr. Leonard, our surgeons were truly hand picked by God not only to teach us, but to be a source of encouragement to us. I do not know how we would have gotten this far without each of them. We are so grateful to have our son, Ryan (heart healthy) and Ashley in our lives. They make us complete. God has taught us so much and given us so many miracles.