Sammie was born with a heart defect called partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection. This defect occurs in only 1% of those born with heart defects. Even more rare, her defect is on the left instead of right side of the heart leading to the lungs--making diagnosis and treatment more precarious.
Sammie's troubles began long before she was born. Early in the pregnancy, parents Michelle and Brian learned that Samantha had a single umbilical artery instead of the normal two. Caution was advised and ultrasounds scheduled each week during their pregnancy. Michelle's pregnancy was difficult but things progressed until she was induced to give birth. Sammie's heart rate dropped dramatically. She suffered from torticollis, was born jaundice and sent home with a bilirubin bed for two weeks.
By her three-month checkup, everyone was concerned with Sammie's lack of weight gain. (She was born 7.5 lbs. and now, eleven months later, weighs in at only 16 lbs.)
At Sammie's nine-month appointment, things went from bad to worse. Her pediatrician heard a heart murmur. A succession of cardiologist visits, chest x-rays, EKGs, MRIs and catheter procedures put Sammie's little body to the test. Several of the procedures required that she even be put under.
After the last test, the cardiologist told Brian and Michelle that they should sit down. He showed them the video images of Sammie's heart and lungs taken during the catheter procedure. Her right side was normal, her left was not. At the time, the cardiologist suggested that the only thing that could be done was to remove Sammie's lung. She would not survive if left untreated.
Imagine the gut-wrenching news that only the most drastic measures can save your baby.
Then, imagine on the following week's visit the miraculous news that the 20 or so cardiologists at Primary Children's Medical Center have taken a closer look at all of the images and believe that there is in fact a viable vein connecting from Sammie's heart to the lung and that open heart surgery is an option to repair the defect and get blood flowing to Sammie's left lung.
“To me it was a miracle," says Brian. "I go from, my baby needs to have her lung removed to hey there's hope here.”
Shortly after Sammie celebrates her first birthday with fist fulls of cake, she will undergo open heart surgery to repair the vein that will hopefully bring oxygen to her lung and allow her to lead a normal and full life.
Following her surgery at Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, Sammie will spend one week in ICU followed by one week in recovery.
Sammie and her family do have medical insurance. Unfortunately, the yearly family deductible (beginning Jan. 1, 2012) is $10,000.
If you would like to make a donation to help Sammie, use the ChipIn link found on the upper right side of this blog. ChipIn donations are managed through PayPal. Donations can also be made at any Wells Fargo branch location in the name of Samantha Hailey.
