Courtney at age 8 (and ½)

Courtney and big sister Ashley

Like many of us, when my Granddaughter Courtney was born on September 4, 1995, we had no idea that she had CHDs. Shortly after she was born, she was being examined in the nursery when her Grandmother Sandi noticed she was quite blue. She told the nurse, who said she looked normal to her. Sandi told the nurse that she had 4 kids and 10 grandkids and none of them were that blue. After some insistence by grandma, the nurse called for a pediatrician to examine her. The pediatrician agreed that everything was not right, and put Courtney on life support. He then called in Dr. Jeffery Schuster, a pediatric cardiologist at Texas Tech here in El Paso. Dr. Schuster diagnosed Courtney with HLHS, DORV, ASD, VSD, Pulmonary Artesia, Aortic Arch and Situs Inversus. Dr. Schuster explained her medical condition and the surgeries she would need to Courtney's family and asked her parents to agree to transfer her to Children's Medical Center in Dallas. They agreed and Children's flew their plane to El Paso, picked her up and returned to Dallas. Dr. Stephen Leonard performed the B-T shunt procedure the next day. Six days later Courtney was discharged and flew home to El Paso.

Courtney did well until January 4, 1996, when she was admitted to PICU at Sierra Medical Center in El Paso with RSV. At this time her 02 sats were in the low 40's. She was a sick little girl for several days. Dr. Schuster told us later that we were very, very close to losing her then.

Courtney had the Glenn shunt on April 30, 1996 by Dr. Leonard at Children's. She was discharged 7 days later and flew home to El Paso. Two days later one of her lungs collapsed and she spent another week in PICU at Sierra Medical Center. Dr. Leonard at Children's performed the Fontan on Oct 15, 1997. Courtney was discharged from Children's after 26 days and returned home to El Paso. Since then Courtney has had an unremarkable medical history. She has also been weaned from all of her meds except for Aspirin.

To our pleasant surprise Courtney does everything other kids her ago do. She has no restrictions and pretty much keeps up with other kids while playing. 2 years ago Courtney joined the Northeast Raider Cheerleader squad. They cheer for the Northeast Raider football team, part of the El Paso Parks and Recreation youth football league. The Cheerleaders and the football players are divided into 2 groups, ages 6 - 9 ("little Raiders") and 10 - 12 ("big Raiders"). In 2003 the little Raider and big Raider Cheerleaders and football teams won first place in the City Championships, competing against approximately 20 other teams. This is the first time in 30 plus years that one group has won all 4 city championships. Both football teams were 12-0 for the season.

Courtney in 2001

Both the little Raider and big Raider Cheerleaders were invited to compete in the national championships last December in Dallas. They did compete with the little Raiders placing 2nd and the big Raiders placing 5th in their divisions. While in Dallas, Courtney's mom, my daughter Lynn, took her and her old sister Ashley and 3 of her cousins, Kayla, Meagan, and Kyle to see Children's Hospital, where Courtney had received such great medical care. Because of their young ages they were not permitted to tour the hospital, but they were thrilled with the trains at the main entrance. Ashley, Kayla and Meagan are also Raider Cheerleaders. It is also very obvious that Kyle is Courtney's best friend. He has always opened doors for her, and helps her in any way he can.

Courtney is a very happy and outgoing child. She is always smiling and giggling and loves to play harmless pranks or jokes on family and friends. She does very good in school and is on the A/B honor roll and has also received "Perfect Attendance" awards, by not missing even one day during the school year.

Courtney's family is very proud of her. We are so thankful to the dozens of medical professionals whose expert care has given her to us to love and enjoy.

— Larry, Grandpa to Courtney and 11 others (El Paso, Texas)