Our beautiful boy was born August 25, 2010 with a congenital heart defect called TGA, or Transposition of the Great Arteries. The defect was repaired five days after his birth via open-heart surgery at an amazing, beautiful place - Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center in Memphis, TN by Dr. Christopher Knott-Craig. He and his team gave Jack a second birthday.
Jack remained in CVICU and NICU at Le Bonheur for three weeks following his surgery and, due to complications to his lungs after surgery, had to go home on oxygen. A month later, his lungs were strong enough to discontinue supplemental oxygen. He remains under the care of his cardiologist, and has minor follow-ups regarding the progress of his vision and hearing, as well as his usual pediatric visits..
We learned about Jack's condition at my 20-week ultrasound. Surreal as it was, and tragic, I would not trade the benefit of foreknowledge for the world. I'm grateful to the medical team that followed me for the rest of my pregnancy with Jack; to the technician to whose due diligence I owe the fact that we *knew* about the condition beforehand; to my wonderful OB, Dr. Bannister, who was fully present before, during, and after Jack's birth; and to countless medical staff at Le Bonheur for unbelievable care, and Jack's current normal life.
