Archive for heart center
After four unsuccessful heart surgeries, Nicholas finds hope
When Brenna and Lorenzo Degano arrived in Boston with their son, Nicholas, last April, it was with a feeling of restrained hope. After four unsuccessful heart surgeries in California, they were hesitant to put their son through a fifth surgery not knowing if the outcome would be any different. Nicholas was diagnosed at age 7 ... Read More about After four unsuccessful heart surgeries, Nicholas finds hope
All in the family: Dynamic nursing duos in the Heart Center
Sometimes nursing runs in the family, and at the Boston Children’s Hospital Heart Center, we’re lucky to have several family pairs of nurses who are related. In celebration of National Nurses Week, we asked three of our duos to share more about what it’s like to work together. Lisa and Michael Greenlee Lisa and Michael ... Read More about All in the family: Dynamic nursing duos in the Heart Center
Zaire’s superpowered heart: ‘I am Iron Man’
What do a 4-year-old from Brockton, Massachusetts and Marvel’s superhero Iron Man have in common? A lot more than you might think. Iron Man faces a heart injury that nearly kills him, but creates a suit of armor that protects his heart and gives him superpowers. Zaire was born with scimitar syndrome, a rare condition ... Read More about Zaire’s superpowered heart: ‘I am Iron Man’
Having Faith: A novel approach to heart surgery
When Rachel and Rudy Fasano of New Haven, Connecticut learned they were having their first baby after three years of trying, they were overjoyed, as were their families. At Rachel’s 15-week ultrasound to learn their baby’s sex, both grandmothers were also in tow, eager to hear the news. But the visit delivered some unexpected results. ... Read More about Having Faith: A novel approach to heart surgery
Four things I learned at the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Family Symposium
I’m sure most parents treat clinic visits as I do… an opportunity to get every last drop of information out of your child’s doctors while you have their undivided attention. So, when the opportunity presents, you take advantage of a full day of learning about your kiddo. I had that chance recently — along with ... Read More about Four things I learned at the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Family Symposium
Trial shows chemotherapy is helping kids live with pulmonary vein stenosis
Pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) is a rare disease in which abnormal cells build up inside the veins responsible for carrying oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the heart. It restricts blood flow through these vessels, eventually sealing them off entirely if left untreated. Typically affecting young children, the most severe form of PVS progresses very quickly ... Read More about Trial shows chemotherapy is helping kids live with pulmonary vein stenosis