Childen's Hospital Boston
International Visitorsdotted lineRequest Appointmentdotted lineDirections
 advanced search
About Us Find a Specialist Locations Careers Press Room Giving To
Clinical Services For Patients & Families For Health Professionals Research
My Child Has
or find by letter:  A-F  G-L  M-R  S-Z

Cardiovascular Program
Cardiovascular Program
Why Choose Us
History of Innovations
Patient-Centered Care
Experienced Physicians
Unique Hospital Care
Great City
Statistics & Outcomes
Patient Stories
For Patients & Families
Adult Congenital Heart Service
Programs & Services
Diagnostic Evaluation
For Professionals
Innovative Treatments
Cardiovascular Glossary
Conditions and Treatments
Multimedia Library
Second Opinions
Meet the Team
Contact Us
Site Map
International Visitors
Find Us
Email this page
Printer Friendly
X
Home Clinical Services Cardiovascular Program Why Choose Us Patient Stories Kayla's Story
Flower Kayla's Story: Ventricular Septal Defect
Back to Patients' Stories
Kayla with Dr. Mark Alexander
Kayla with Dr. Mark Alexander
Our first experience with Children's Hospital Boston was with the Cardiology Department. Kayla had a heart murmur at her four-week checkup that bothered her pediatrician. We were referred to Children's and met Mark Alexander, MD.

We found out she had a Ventricular Septal Defect, and hoped it would close on its own. But at 4 months of age and after two admissions to the hospital, with congestive heart failure and RSV, Kayla had surgery to close the hole.

No idea what to expect
As first time parents, we were terrified. We had no idea what to expect with a sick child, and it was very overwhelming. The Cardiology Department was fantastic and worked with us to teach us how to care for Kayla before, during and after the surgery. Prior to the surgery, Dr. Alexander explained the care Kayla needed at home with medications and with nutrition. He saw her almost weekly leading up to the decision to have surgery.
Preparing for heart surgery
Dr. John Mayer performed the heart surgery. He was very caring and compassionate. The night before the surgery, he sat with us and explained what was going to happen and what we should expect. Several of the cardiac nurses prepared us for the cardiac ICU after surgery. They took us on a tour of the ICU prior to the surgery, and explained all the tubes and wires we would be seeing on Kayla while she was in the ICU. We also got to speak with another family whose child had a VSD repair. It was very comforting to us.
Going home after surgery
After surgery Kayla was home in four days, and again Dr. Alexander prepared us for Kayla's home care. This was just the start to unraveling the mystery of what was wrong with Kayla. Three years later, she was diagnosed with Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathy.
Doing well
Now, nine-and-a-half years later, Kayla is doing fantastic. She has no cardiac issues, and is doing more today than anyone ever thought she would.

We were very grateful that first experience at Children's with the Cardiology team was a wonderful experience. They prepared us for our many visits and procedures at Children's. The compassion and skill shown to us by each caregiver made a very difficult situation much easier to handle. We are very grateful for Children's Hospital Boston.

X
Children's Hospital Boston is the primary pediatric teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School
Contact Us Site Map Privacy Accessibility Give Now en Español
Children's Hospital Boston300 Longwood AvenueBoston, MA 02115(617) 355-6000 © 2005-2007 All rights reserved