Kendall’s Story — As told by Kendall’s parents, Jamie and Andy
Three years ago, at our 20-week anatomy scan, we received the tough news that our unborn daughter had multiple congenital heart defects. In that moment, we felt the clouds move in overhead.
We were directed to UPMC Children’s by our local hospital in Harrisburg. Our doctor highly recommended the Heart Institute and cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Victor Morell.
We headed across the state to Pittsburgh for our initial consultation.
Hope at the Heart Institute
From the very beginning of our journey, Dr. Morell, the cardiac team, and the support staff at the Heart Institute could not have been more accommodating, welcoming, and informative.
Most of all, they gave us hope and clarity, which is exactly what we needed in those uncertain times.
17 Days at UPMC Children’s
Our daughter Kendall was born at UPMC Magee and had a short stay at UPMC Children’s after birth. To our surprise, she was healthy enough to go home and grow a little bit before surgery.
At just three months old, she had a successful five-hour surgery at the Heart Institute to repair her defects.
While the surgery went well, just hours later, the unimaginable happened. Kendall’s heart rate plummeted, and she eventually went into cardiac arrest. We were rushed into a room where doctors told us that Kendall’s heart had stopped. For about ten seconds, we truly thought we had lost our baby.
The room fell silent until they explained they had restarted her heart and placed her on life support. We were left numb, realizing how close we came to losing our little girl.
But once again, the Heart Institute team saved her life. Kendall proved her resiliency, and after 17 days in the hospital, we finally brought our strong girl home.
Care Beyond Medicine
The hospital’s Clinical Social Work Department was such an asset for us throughout our time at UPMC Children’s. Heart Institute social workers helped us stay at the Family House during our initial appointments in Pittsburgh. They further covered the cost of the stay with donor-funded family support funds.
While Kendall was in the hospital, the social workers also connected us to various resources and stopped in to check on us often. We received meal vouchers, parking validation, and so much more!
Child Life brought Kendall toys and books, and a bouncer chair during recovery. We are so incredibly grateful for all of these amazing services and the people who donate to make them possible. It made such a difference for our family.
Living Life to the Fullest
Today, Kendall is an independent, active 2½‑year‑old living life to the fullest with a nearly normal heart. She loves swimming, singing, and climbing like a monkey. Kendall is extremely sweet, energetic, smart, and the absolute boss of our home. Her two older siblings have a tough time keeping up with her!
We now have cardiology checkups every six months, close to home, thanks to coordinated care between our local doctors and the Heart Institute team in Pittsburgh.
Thank you will never be enough to Dr. Morell, UPMC Children’s, and the entire community of Pittsburgh for giving Kendall a new beginning and the chance to trailblaze her own path in life!
Our little girl truly has a heart made of steel.