Katie is in first grade this year.  She loves it but often complains there is too much work.  I think she wishes she had more time to play with her friends.  Katie is extremely social and very active.  She enjoys ballet, soccer, and swimming.  She wishes there was more time so she could participate in gymnastics, Irish dance, and the list goes on and on.  I am exhausted just thinking about it.  

Besides being social and active Katie has quite the attitude.  At times her sassy behavior is a bit challenging but I think her tenacity has helped her to get where she is today along with the extraordinary care she receives from her doctors at Children's Hospital.   Katie loves Dr. Frommelt, Dr. Peter, and Lisa; and I think they thoroughly enjoy Katie. 

Katie was born with a small left ventricle and very small mitral valve. We were prepared for the Norwood operation but Dr. Tweddell determined it would not be needed. Instead he created a restricted Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), banded her pulmonary artery, and repaired her coarctation of the aorta. Since she did not have the Norwood she technically is not considered to have hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). However, she has since had the Glenn and Damus Kaye Stansel as well as the Fontan surgeries - therefore, she is not quite a Shone's Complex. She is a hybrid. That said - I usually refer to her as a HLHS because more people are familiar with it.

Children's Hospital was just ranked 8th in the nation for best pediatric hospital and cardiology program by US News and World Report.  What you may not know about us is that we have four children all of whom use Children's Hospital.  In addition to cardiology we visit / have visited neurology, nephrology, genetics, emergency room, orthopedics, eye clinic, dental clinic, asthma and allergy, dermatology, ENT, radiology, and, of course, the lab.  We are so thankful to have this hospital so close to us because we are there all of the time. We can't think of a better reason to support Children's Hospital than for all kids who need this wonderful place. 

Once again we would like to thank Marquette Men's Basketball Coach, Buzz Williams, for all he does for Children's Hospital and for children with special needs.  He is generously donating to Katie's team again as well as several other teams.   We greatly appreciate all that you do coach.  Thank you!

We hope you will join us on September 17, 2011 for Al's Run.  John and I will run, and the kids will walk.  Ryan carries a backpack stuffed with candy to share with all of the kids.  Any dentist or pediatrician would be horrifed by the amount of sugar consumed that day.  I suppose it negates the health benefits of walking but it is for a great cause. 

We welcome everyone to join Katie's team so please pass on this information to anyone who is interested...relative, friend, coworker, etc.  To join Katie's team:  

                                                - Visit: www.alsrun.com

                                                - Register on a team

                                                - Type in: Katie Mac's Tour de Coeur

                                                - Type in the password: katiemac

 

 

 

 

 

 

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