Cora, 19 months old

3 months

One Year

We were made aware of Cora's heart condition only shortly after receiving the news that we were expecting a girl during a routine 20 week ultrasound. We were fortunate enough to have had another heart parent inform our obstetrician's office about the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, so we were given hope from the time of the diagnosis. Cora was delivered at 38 weeks due to a lack of fluid, and was considered "growth restricted." We think of all the drama and concerns leading up to her birth and when we look at our child who is now in the 95th percentile for her height, we can only smile.

We were able to deliver Cora in the adjoining hospital, and when Cora was ready to arrive, she quite literally "flew" into the world. We thought it would be devastating to release her right after birth, but we were filled with a wonderful sense of peace knowing she was in excellent hands. Her Norwood procedure was completed the day after birth, followed by a post-operative pleural effusion. Oxygen and feeding issues kept us in the hospital for a month. At the age of two months, Cora returned to CHOP due to myocardial dysfunction and a pericardial effusion. A month later, she was admitted to our local hospital for borderline dehydration due to symptoms of reflux. Just when we were settling home the following month, Cora prematurely returned to CHOP for a heart catheterization and bi-directional Glenn procedure at four months of age, which was prompted by her oxygen saturations becoming too low. Cora was fed by a nasogastric tube but after weeks of not taking fluid by mouth, and gave it up two days after she returned home from the second operation. Cora's last emergency room visit was at eight months of age, and we haven't returned since. Ironically, we only began to bring her out "into the world" at this age, and she hasn't looked back!

Cora was seen by a gastroenterologist for reflux and was slow to gain weight in the beginning. Cora has feeding issues that have improved on a very slow scale, but she perseveres. She added an ENT to her list of professionals due to occasional ear infections. She is currently catching up to her developmental milestones through Early Intervention services, and enjoys her regular gym class, playgroup activities, and library events. Swimming has been put on hold for the winter. Cora and her Mom just joined a Mommy and Me yoga class which we look forward to.

People who meet Cora are surprised when they learn what she has been through. Cora is a very happy, energetic toddler, with an infectious laugh and an ear for music, singing often. Cora has an avid love for books and a great enthusiasm for play. She began life with two odds against her — small size and small aorta, and has grown into a very strong little girl. Her most recent echo has shown Cora to be on the lower middle end of function compared to other HLHS children, but Cora doesn't even know she was diagnosed with a heart condition. She breathes heavy at times, but this doesn't stop her. Cora's current daily medication is a quarter tablet of baby aspirin, Enalapril, Prilosec and a vitamin. Cora receives the RSV shot once a month until April, 2007.

We are grateful to the T.C.H.I.N. network and families for giving us so much hope and support through the website and parent email lists. We are also blessed to have the support of Cora's medical teams, family and friends. As parents, we couldn't ask for a better child, and hope we can return the happiness she brings us.