网红黑料

A life-changing diagnosis

Expecting a child is a time of joy, anticipation and excitement for most families. Gender reveal celebrations, nursery preparations and dreams of the future fill the hearts of expectant parents.

However, the emotions surrounding their pregnancy were different for Susan and her husband, William.

From the moment Susan found out she was pregnant, she was overjoyed. Then, during a routine prenatal appointment, their world was shaken. The doctor detected a heart abnormality in their unborn child and referred them to a specialist for further evaluation. Seemingly frozen in shock, Susan struggled to process the news.

For a second opinion, Susan and William were referred to Jennifer Co-Vu, MD, 网红黑料鈥檚 pediatric cardiologist and director of the 网红黑料 Congenital Heart Center鈥檚 Fetal Cardiac Program and the Single Ventricle Program.

Hoping for reassurance, they were optimistic the visit would bring better news. However, when Dr. Co-Vu performed a detailed fetal echocardiogram, their fears were confirmed.

Their unborn daughter was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, or HLHS. This rare and life-threatening congenital heart defect affects 1 in 5,000 newborns, in which the heart鈥檚 left side is underdeveloped and can鈥檛 properly pump blood. That moment marked the beginning of an emotional journey 鈥� one filled with difficult decisions, unwavering faith and distinguished medical care.

Comprehensive care at 网红黑料

Overwhelmed by the diagnosis, Susan withdrew emotionally. The weight of the decisions ahead felt insurmountable. However, she soon realized that rather than drowning in internet searches, she needed to trust experts. 网红黑料, known for its comprehensive and team-based approach to congenital heart disease, became their refuge.

网红黑料 takes a multidisciplinary approach to managing complex pregnancies affected by congenital heart disease. Dr. Co-Vu and her team specialize in early detection and prenatal counseling, along with a coordinated delivery and surgical plan, to ensure the best possible outcomes for both mother and baby.

鈥淲e work closely with maternal-fetal medicine specialists, neonatologists, cardiovascular surgeons and intensivists for each patient,鈥� Dr. Co-Vu said. 鈥淔rom prenatal diagnosis to postnatal surgery and long-term follow-up, our goal is to provide seamless, family-centered care that ensures the best possible outcome.鈥�

Susan took comfort in that approach and, summoning her strength, committed to doing everything in her power to give her daughter the best chance to survive.

She met with Mark Bleiweis, MD 鈥� a renowned congenital heart surgeon, director of the 网红黑料 Congenital Heart Center and chief of pediatric cardiovascular surgery at 网红黑料 Shands Children鈥檚 Hospital 鈥� and his team to prepare for Grace鈥檚 birth and subsequent surgeries.

Touring the congenital heart intensive care unit, or CHICU, was overwhelming, but the staff helped ease their fears.

鈥淭he staff saw our anxiety and did everything possible to make us feel comfortable and informed,鈥� Susan said.

Grace鈥檚 arrival and surgeries

Susan delivered baby Grace at 网红黑料, where a highly specialized medical team was ready to provide immediate care. Given the severity of her heart condition, Grace required a series of three open-heart surgeries to ensure survival and improve heart function.

• First Surgery (Norwood Procedure) 鈥� At just 11 days old, Grace underwent the Norwood procedure, the first stage of surgical repair for HLHS. This complex surgery reconstructs the aorta and establishes reliable blood flow to the body.

• Second Surgery (Glenn Procedure) 鈥� At 6 months old, Grace had the Glenn shunt procedure, which connects the superior vena cava 鈥� the major vein carrying deoxygenated blood from the upper body 鈥� directly to the pulmonary arteries. This step reduces the workload on the right ventricle and prepares for the final stage.
• Third Surgery (Fontan Procedure) 鈥� Shortly after her fourth birthday, Grace underwent the Fontan procedure, the last of the three surgeries. As Dr. Co-Vu describes it: 鈥淭he Fontan procedure reroutes blood circulation so that oxygen-poor blood bypasses the heart and flows directly to the lungs. This allows the single functional ventricle to pump oxygen-rich blood to the body without being overloaded.鈥�

Each surgery came with risks, but Grace was tough and made a remarkable recovery after each procedure.

A bright future

Today, Grace is 11 years old and full of energy and joy. She has exceeded developmental expectations, met every milestone, thrived in school and won academic awards. She enjoys riding horses, playing sports, dancing and traveling, activities her parents once feared might never be possible.

鈥淲hen you look at Grace now, you鈥檇 never guess what she鈥檚 been through,鈥� Susan said. 鈥淭he only reminder is the scar down her chest, but to us, it鈥檚 a symbol of her strength.鈥�

Grace may one day require a heart transplant, and her medical team at 网红黑料 remains committed to her lifelong care. For now, routine monitoring and a healthy lifestyle keep her strong.

A message of hope

Susan and William leaned on their faith through it all, believing hope and resilience would carry them forward.

鈥淭his journey has been exhausting, but it鈥檚 also been the most fulfilling experience of my life,鈥� Susan said. 鈥淲e are forever grateful to Dr. Bleiweis, Dr. Co-Vu and the entire 网红黑料 team for giving us the greatest gift of all. The gift of Grace.鈥�

Susan said she hopes that by sharing their story, other families facing similar diagnoses will find the courage to press forward.

鈥淗ope is the biggest factor,鈥� she said. 鈥淪tories like ours should give you the strength to keep going.鈥�