Mattie Louise (2005)

Mattie is our second child. She has a big brother, Sam. Mattie was conceived shortly after we lost a pregnancy nearly mid-term due to a trisomy, so naturally we were overly anxious that the baby was ok. We did our genetic testing via CVS in order to know early on, and of course we had ultrasounds, etc. everything looked great.

While I was pregnant my mother died suddenly, and on her birthday a few months later I went into labor; Mattie Louise was born a few hours into the next day, named for my mother who wanted very much for me to have girl of my own. It was bittersweet but I was overjoyed and Mattie had perfect Apgar scores, and was a strapping 8 lbs 5 oz.

We took her home and a few days later went for a routine follow-up with our pediatrician, who heard a heart murmur. We went to see Dr. Avasarala at Oakland Children's Hospital, and received the devastating news: your baby has a major CHD, she needs to placed in the ICN etc etc. I kept saying to Paul, 'please tell me this isn't real, this isn't happening" but it was. That night was the lowest point of my life, I had woken up that AM with a healthy baby (I thought), and now I may never take her home again. So much of this was tied up with losing my mom, who I desperately needed right then.

Mattie Louise (2002)

As I said, that night was the lowest, and I am so happy and lucky that I can say, 15 months later, that things have gone as well as possible since then. Mattie was so lucky to have had a complete one stage unifocalization performed by Frank Hanley, he is just an amazing talent. The surgery was done at 3 months and she has done so well, we are incredibly lucky.

Mattie is now a walking, sort of talking, happy silly toddler, who despite her rough start has the sunniest disposition imaginable. And as difficult and wrenching an experience as this has been, and continues to be to an extent, we've learned so much about our own strength, individually and as a family, and about what wonderful people fill our lives.

January 2005 Update

Mattie is now a robust 4-1/2 year old. She is a beautiful little fairy who continually delights us.

Mattie had her second surgery with Dr. Hanley in April 2004. The surgery was intended to replace her homograft pulmonary valve, and to address stenoses in her pulmonary arteries. We had tried to address these through multiple angioplasties (3), but with limited success.

Unfortunately, Mattie had a major complication in surgery (dissection of LAD) and it was very harrowing. We're happy to report, however, that she made it through and has absolutely blossomed in the time since.  We enjoy our sweet girl every day, and we're forever grateful to the talented team at Children's Hospital Oakland.