Our Ms. Stella Louise was born March 12, 2014. We thought she was a healthy, normal baby until 3-4 weeks. Our pediatrician was a little concerned because Stella was slow to gain weight but didn't feel we needed to do anything else at that time. We continued to go in for follow up weight checks which showed slow weight gain and possible failure to thrive. Right around 2 months, our pediatrician sent us to Children’s Hospital for testing to rule out things like Cystic Fibrosis, Thyroid Disorder, etc. All the tests came back normal.
We continued to go in for weekly or every other week weight checks with hope that the scale would give us good news. We celebrated every ounce she gained! We were referred to a speech pathologist, a pediatric dietician, tried different bottles, tried different formulas, etc. The doctors and medical field were stumped. She continued to hover around the 2nd-6th percentile. The situation was not seen as an emergency because Stella continued to gain weight and follow her own growth curve. The doctors kept saying, “Maybe she’s just small.” Her mama kept saying, “Nope, there is something more going on!”
At Stella’s 6 month check up in September 2014, her pediatrician heard a heart murmur. We were referred to the Children’s Heart Clinic (part of Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota). Through an exam and echocardiogram, the pediatric cardiologist discovered that Stella has a secondum Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) which is a hole in the top chambers of her heart. This news was hard to hear but we finally had an answer to why she was not gaining weight.
Stella’s pediatric cardiologist presented her case to her colleagues and surgeons. They recommended waiting and monitoring the hole to see if it would close on its own. Her check up in December 2014 and again in March 2015 showed that the hole is staying the same size. Stella went from the 8th percentile to the 1st percentile from Oct - March. It was clear we needed to move forward with fixing her heart.
Her cardiologist again presented Stella’s case to her surgical team. They determined that Stella is not a candidate for the catheterization option of fixing her heart. Stella had open heart surgery on May 12, 2015. The surgery went really well and we were out of the hospital after three nights!!! Stella's heart is back to normal size and she has so much energy. The doctors and nurses at Children's Hospital are absolutely amazing!! The Ronald McDonald house was a life saver for us to escape for a few minutes. The meals they provided were so wonderful. Walking into Children's Hospital used to make me feel sick to my stomach. Now I walk in there with such positive feelings.
We are looking for any and every way to support the amazing doctors, surgeons, and nurses at the Children’s Heart Clinic. Please join “Stella’s Village” as a runner / walker and/or donate to support the cardiovascular program at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota!!