What CHD Means to Me
My precious daughter, Nora, is the reason Operation Heart exists. She’s in heaven now, but her story—and her fight—are forever etched in my soul.
At just 10 weeks pregnant, I went in for what I thought would be a routine OB appointment. Instead, I heard something that changed my life: my baby’s heartbeat was abnormal. My doctor wasn’t sure what it meant, so I was referred to a maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialist the very next day. There, it was confirmed—something was significantly wrong with our baby’s heart.
Because it was still early, we couldn’t get a clear view of her heart, so we began genetic testing. Every test came back normal. Then, at 18 weeks pregnant, we got the full picture: our daughter had a complex congenital heart defect. One that, as my doctor put it, was “a once-in-a-career” case. She was diagnosed with:
- Common AV Canal
- ASD (Atrial Septal Defect)
- VSD (Ventricular Septal Defect)
- DORV (Double Outlet Right Ventricle)
- Small Pulmonary Artery
- Complete Heart Block
- Heterotaxy Syndrome
- Cardiomyopathy
It felt like the air had been knocked out of me.
From that moment on, I became a mother on a mission. I searched across the country to find the best place for her to be born. Most doctors offered little hope. But in Boston, there was a glimmer—a small chance. That chance meant everything to me.
Nora was born early and underwent immediate heart surgery, receiving a temporary pacemaker within hours of birth. What followed was a nine-month journey of fierce courage and relentless love, filled with surgeries, setbacks, and miracles. She fought so hard. I learned more about congenital heart disease (CHD) than I ever imagined I would.
On February 13, 2023, my daughter went to heaven.
Just when I thought my heart couldn’t hold any more, I found out I was pregnant again—this time with Nash, our miracle boy. In utero, he was diagnosed with Down syndrome and a common AV canal defect. Nash is still fighting his fight—and so are we.
To walk this path once is unimaginable. To walk it twice is indescribable. But through the heartbreak, grief, and sacred joy, I’ve found my purpose: to offer hope.
Hope to families sitting in ultrasound rooms hearing devastating news.
Hope to parents watching their babies fight for every breath.
Hope that they are not alone.
CHD changed my life—but it also gave it purpose. Through Operation Heart, Nora’s life—and her legacy—lives on, reminding the world that even the tiniest hearts can make the biggest impact.
heart surgery
It felt like the air had been knocked out of me.
From that moment on, I became a mother on a mission. I searched across the country to find the best place for her to be born. Most doctors offered little hope. But in Boston, there was a glimmer—a small chance. That chance meant everything to me.
Nora was born early and underwent immediate heart surgery, receiving a temporary pacemaker within hours of birth. What followed was a nine-month journey of fierce courage and relentless love, filled with surgeries, setbacks, and miracles. She fought so hard. I learned more about congenital heart disease (CHD) than I ever imagined I would.
On February 13, 2023, my daughter went to heaven.
miracle boy
Just when I thought my heart couldn’t hold any more, I found out I was pregnant again—this time with Nash, our miracle boy. In utero, he was diagnosed with Down syndrome and a common AV canal defect. Nash is still fighting his fight—and so are we.
To walk this path once is unimaginable. To walk it twice is indescribable. But through the heartbreak, grief, and sacred joy, I’ve found my purpose: to offer hope.
Hope to families sitting in ultrasound rooms hearing devastating news.
Hope to parents watching their babies fight for every breath.
Hope that they are not alone.
CHD changed my life—but it also gave it purpose. Through Operation Heart, Nora’s life—and her legacy—lives on, reminding the world that even the tiniest hearts can make the biggest impact.
children need your help by donating today
Helping each other can make world better
Volunteering offers opportunities to develop new skills and gain valuable experience. This can include leadership, communication, project management, and teamwork skills.
- Helped fund 3,265 Project powerful corporate poor
- We give child a gift of a education
- We help companies develop powerfu corporate social Responsibility
Helping each other can make world better
Volunteering offers opportunities to develop new skills and gain valuable experience. This can include leadership, communication, project
- Helped fund 3,265 Project powerful
- We give child a gift of a education
