Hope was born on September 3, 2013 with Double Outlet Right Ventricle (DORV). Her diagnosis came at my 20 week ultrasound but nothing prepares you for the day when it all becomes a reality.

On that Tuesday, our boys started their first day of 3rd and 6th grades and Hope Catherine Koss was welcomed into our hearts. In a nutshell, her defect was 2 holes in her heart, a very narrowed pulmonary artery and mixed up placement of the aorta and pulmonary artery - all making her heart work a lot harder with less oxygenated blood. The NICU and CVCC gang took tremendous care of her through prep and recovery of her first surgery on September 10th to insert a shunt.  The shunt would allow more blood flow and buy her time to get bigger and stronger until she could have her corrective surgery. 

We spent her 1st 7 months monitoring her weight (to ensure she was gaining) and checking her oxygen levels (goal is to have oxygen 70 or above; even though we all sit at a comfortable 99/100 at all times). When her saturations started settling in the low 70's/high 60's - it was time for the next big surgery. 

She had her Rastelli on April 7, 2014 and 5 days later was discharged. After a roller coaster few days, she healed like a champ!! We are 13 months post-surgery and she is AMAZING. A very happy, smart, determined little lady who keeps us on our toes - running circles around her just to keep up.

Joining our Heartbeat 5000 team keeps the Cardiovascular team at the top of their game and Hope able to have the best care in Minneapolis.