City and State
West Union, South Carolina

My Story
I had neurosurgery at 7 months old to remove a cyst growing near the main vein in my brain. The surgery was successful and I seemed to be doing well, but when I was two years old I was diagnosed with two heart defects, a partial atrioventricular canal defect and a primum atrial septal defect which basically means that I was born with a hole in the chamber wall between my left and right atriums and a cleft in my mitral valve with leakage. Right after I turned 3 years old, I underwent open heart surgery to close the hole in my heart and try to repair the cleft in my mitral valve at MUSC's Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital in Charleston, SC. My surgery took longer than expected due to the hole in my heart being around 12 times bigger than scans showed prior to surgery. My heart surgery was an overall success and my recovery went well. The hole in my heart was completely repaired. However, I may have to have surgery to repair my mitral valve again in the future, but right now I am doing well with just mild leakage. I still make visits to my cardiologist. I am currently 7 years old . My heart isn't slowing me down. I participate in tumbling and dance and excel at school where I will start the 2nd grade in August. I thank God for always taking care of me! I am a proud heart warrior!