Aiden’s Story: A Little Heart, An Extraordinary Strength

At our 20-week ultrasound, we received news that would change our lives forever: our son, Aiden, had been diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart defect.

I will never forget that moment. My first question to the doctor was, “Is he going to live?” I was shaking, crying uncontrollably, and terrified of what this diagnosis meant for our baby and our family. In an instant, the joy and excitement of pregnancy were overshadowed by fear and uncertainty.

Because we were being seen at UCLA, the medical team arranged for us to see a pediatric cardiologist that very same day for another ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis. And just as we feared, it was confirmed: Aiden had Tetralogy of Fallot.

The doctors then recommended an amniocentesis to determine whether there might be any other associated conditions. It was December, right in the middle of the holidays, and we were told we would have to wait two weeks for the results. Those two weeks felt endless. I spent every day praying, holding on to one desperate hope: that Aiden’s heart condition would be the only challenge he would have to face, and that there would be nothing else standing in the way of his chance at a healthy life. I asked God over and over to let our baby be okay.

Then, finally, the phone rang.

The doctor began, “Okay, we have good news.”

I remember the immediate feeling of hope that washed over me. And then came the words I had been longing to hear: the test results showed that Aiden had Tetralogy of Fallot, but no other associated conditions.

In that moment, it felt as though God had given me my life back. After weeks of fear, uncertainty, and endless prayers, I could finally take a breath. We still had a difficult road ahead, but we had been given something precious: hope.

Throughout the rest of my pregnancy, we were fortunate to be under the care of Dr. Satou, a pediatric cardiologist whose knowledge, kindness, and compassion made an enormous difference in our lives. He guided us through one of the most frightening experiences a parent can face. He explained what to expect after Aiden’s birth, walked us through the treatment plan, and helped us understand that, with the appropriate care, Aiden had a very good chance of growing up to live a long, full, and wonderful life. His reassurance helped us feel that, even though we could not control everything that lay ahead, our baby was in good hands.

On April 12, 2017, at 9:18 a.m., Aiden came into the world, weighing 8.4 pounds. He was beautiful, pink, and crying loudly. I will never forget seeing him for the first time. After months of worrying, praying, and imagining every possible outcome, there he was: our beautiful baby boy, full of life.

But Aiden’s journey was only beginning.

At just eight days old, he underwent his first heart surgery. When your baby is barely a week old, the thought of him undergoing such a major procedure is almost impossible to comprehend. Then, at ten months old, he underwent a second heart surgery. No parent is ever truly prepared to watch their child go through something like that. Those experiences tested us in ways we could never have imagined, but they also showed us just how much strength can exist in someone so small.

And today, here we are.

Aiden is nine years old, and he is thriving.

He loves sports. He plays baseball, loves soccer and basketball, runs around with his friends, and enjoys being part of everything happening around him. He is friendly, social, and well liked. He is a fourth grader with friendships to build, dreams to discover, and a whole future waiting for him.

When I look at Aiden today, I see so much more than the heart condition that once filled our lives with fear. I see a happy, active, loving little boy who reminds me every day that a diagnosis does not have to define a life. His journey has included challenges that many children never have to experience, but those challenges have not taken away his ability to play, laugh, make friends, pursue his interests, or simply be a kid.

As his mother, there is no greater gift than watching him live his life with so much possibility ahead of him. I know how different our story could have felt if we had not received the care, guidance, and support we needed along the way. I will forever be grateful to the incredible medical professionals who cared for Aiden and helped us navigate some of the most frightening moments of our lives.

Our experience also taught us how important it is for families facing congenital heart disease to have support, understanding, and opportunities to connect with others who truly understand what they are going through.

That is why Camp del Corazón means so much.

Camp del Corazón provides children with heart disease an opportunity to experience the joy of camp, form meaningful friendships, build confidence, and create memories with other children who understand their journey. It gives these children the chance to be part of a community where their heart condition does not have to be the first thing that defines them.

For parents, knowing that our children can experience that kind of connection and belonging is incredibly meaningful.

On October 24, Camp del Corazón will hold its Fan Fest fundraiser, and I am raising money to support this wonderful organization and the children and families it serves.

I am asking you to open your hearts and consider making a donation. Every contribution, no matter the size, can help make a difference in the lives of children living with heart disease. It can help create opportunities for friendship, laughter, adventure, and the simple but extraordinary experience of being a kid.

When I think back to that 20-week ultrasound, I remember the fear, the tears, and the question that came from the deepest place in my heart: Is he going to live?

Today, I look at my nine-year-old son and see the answer in front of me. I see a boy who is growing, playing, laughing, making friends, and filling our lives with love. I see a future filled with possibilities.

Aiden’s story is a reminder that even when life takes an unexpected turn, hope can carry us through the darkest moments. It reminds me of the extraordinary strength of children, the life-changing impact of compassionate medical care, and the difference a supportive community can make.

I cannot change the fear we experienced during those early days, but I can use our story to help other families feel less alone and to support children whose journeys may look a little like Aiden’s.

Thank you for taking the time to read Aiden’s story, for celebrating how far he has come, and for considering a donation to Camp del Corazón. Your generosity can help other children with heart disease experience the same joy, connection, and sense of possibility that every child deserves.

Because every child deserves the chance to grow, to dream, to belong, and to live life to the fullest.

Begun in 1995 by a pediatric cardiologist and a cardiovascular nurse, Camp del Corazon provides a free-of-charge residential summer camp on Catalina Island off the coast of California to 300+ kids (ages 7-17) living with congenital heart disease. Over the past 30 years, Camp del Corazon has grown to include year round programming, including virtual camp, an educational symposium for heart families, and a young adult program (ages 18-25) to support former campers as they transition to adulthood and take ownership of their health. BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE! Camp is more than all these awesome programs, camp is a FEELING! Camp has become a community and a FAMILY to so many kids and families who thought they were alone. 

And now, Camp has become MY family! Camp means so much to me. I want to make sure that Camp continues to provide a community and family for future generations of heart kids and families. Will you help me? You can join my team, make a donation, share the link to this page on social media, or come volunteer at FamFest on October 24th and be part of the camp magic! Thanks for helping to raise awareness and funds for this organization that is so close to my heart.