Our Kids - Adriana

I have learned about Jack of Hearts through reading Braedon Husted's carepage. I have followed many Carepage stories as I am a mother of a daughter with HLHS, DORV & VSD. My Adriana is 9 months old now and beautiful, I too have a carepage but have not updated it recently due to lack of time. I would like to get more involved with families, organizations or information sites as possible. I feel the need to learn as much as I can through the stories of others affected by CHD's and to maybe help others along the way through my story.

Adriana was just 5 days old when she was diagnosed with HLHS, DORV & VSD while in the NICU at Stony Brook Hospital, NY.

I thought the worse part was my daughter being in NICU for swallowing Meconium while being delivered via emergency C-section. After being diagnosed Adriana was then transported to Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian where she was required to undergo the Norwood Surgery at just 9 days old. After 5 days in NYC she was brought closer to home to fully recover at Stony Brook Hospital. We finally brought our little girl home on August 13th.

I was amazed at how much strength a little girl could have and her ability to recover so quickly. If not for her Cardiology appointments and that incision on her chest you would never know she had been through so much in her short time here. Adriana had her 2nd surgery back in Manhatten on November 12th with no problem. My daughter smiled the morning of the surgery and came out smiling shortly after it.

I can only say in a time of uncertainty she was my hope and comfort. My how much a little girl can teach her parents of strength and willingness to survive even in the most trying of times. Adriana came home after 6 days and had an amazing recovery. We are told that her 3rd surgery may be shortly after her BIG birthday, I will find out in July at her next cardio appt. Not because of any problems but because they are finding that the benefits are greater when done earlier than waiting until toddler years. Her Cardiologist at SB Univ. will meet with the Pediatric Cardiologists at NY Presbyterian and inform us what they feel would be better in her case.

Our daughter is now 9 months old thriving and loving life. I am blessed to have her and can not wait to see what her future holds. I pray it is going to be an easy journey but time will tell. In the mean time her story has just began and it has been one with many chapters but so far a beautiful tale.

I love my daughter and her eyes are not one filled with sorrow but hope and promise. She came into this world with a purpose and continues to touch everyone who meets her, a lovely addition to this earth. Each time I look at her I am overwhelmed with joy and am thankful for everyday since she was conceived. What an amazing feeling. I love you Adriana!

Nichole Russo