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Joseph
Ramsay, Brielle
Born May 19, 2005
Joseph was born with congenitally corrected transposition
of the great arteries, hypoplastic right ventricle, and several
other heart defects. His heart will need to be re-constructed
to a single ventricle system. When he was eight months old
he underwent the first of two surgeries at Children's Hospital
of Philadelphia. The surgery went well, an, after a complicated
post-op period, Joseph has blossomed into a happy, active,
friendly two-year-old who loves to play with his brothers
and dance along with Barney the Dinosaur. The world is a better
place because of Joseph, and he will live a much longer, healthier
life because of the Cardiac Center at CHOP. Joseph is scheduled
to receive his second surgery in the spring of 2008
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Mary McKenna
Born June 9, 2006
Mary was born 1 week late, through induced labor.
At birth she was a healthy baby,
with a little jaundice, but no extreme problems. Four days later
during a routine
office visit, her pediatrician noticed a heart murmur. This led
to a full workup at
the Cardiac Center of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Mary
was diagnosed with
two Ventricular Septal Defects, An Atrial Septal Defect and a Partial
Anomalous
Venous Return. At almost 1 month of age, Mary had Open Heart Surgery
to correct
these problems.. At this time, she was also diagnosed with bilaterial
hip
dysplasia, vision and hearing problems as well as feeding difficulties.
Mary had
hip surgery at 15 months of age and a bi-polar release of a muscle
in her neck at
almost 2 years of age to treat Tortocollis. Genetics recently diagnosed
Mary with a
very rare genetic syndrome called Mosaic Trisomy 14. CHOP has been
our second home
and we are blessed and grateful to all the
doctor's, surgeons, nurses and staff.
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Matthew
Lubach, Freehold
Born November 7, 2003
Matthew was diagnosed in utero with a congenital heart condition
called Tetralogy of Fallot - four malfunctions of the heart
causing a hole and other abnormalities. To date "Matty"
has had open heart surgery, and two angioplasties to open
an underdeveloped left pulmonary artery. He will have this
surgery numerous times until he is fully grown. His future
also includes major surgery to implant an artificial pulmonary
valve. If it were not for his large scar, (which he will gladly
show you!) you would never know all the obstacles he has overcome.
He is a rambunctious, active, "wild" three-year-old
little boy who brings much love and laughs to everyone. He
is here today because of all the great care he receives at
the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
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Nicholas Foley, Farmingdale
Born August 9, 2002
Nicholas was diagnosed in utero at 28 weeks
with what doctors thought was
Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and bilateral cleft lip/palate.
After
Nick was born the doctors realized Nick was not the typical HLHS
case, we
had many meetings with the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia staff,
Dr.
Spray and Dr. Wernovsky. Nick had a heart catheterization when he
was
three days old so that Dr. Spray could see what was really going
on with
Nick’s heart. Nicholas underwent open heart surgery on 08/15/02
he was 6
days old. His surgery consisted of a right side aortic arch repair,
coarctation repair and arch reconstruction. This was extremely scary
and
emotional, but thanks to the wonderful Dr. Thomas Spray, Nicholas
came
through with flying colors. Nick has had many surgeries since birth
but
only one open heart surgery.
Nick is now five years old and his heart is doing great and growing
with
him. We do not know what the future holds so we never take it for
granite. Everyday we thank God and CHOP for our miracle. Nick started
kindergarten this year, he loves school and learning to read. He
loves to
laugh, play, and just be a boy. Nick has the biggest blue eyes you
have
ever seen, they melt your heart. He does not stop talking or eating
and
he gives the best hugs and kisses. Nicholas is learning to appreciate
life
and everything it has to offer.
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