By Marie Pfeifer
Valentine’s Day is all about hearts and love. At Morristown Memorial Hospital last Sunday, love was overflowing and hearts were the focus at a Valentine’s Day party that also marked National Congenital Cardiac Defect Awareness Day.
Some 142 children and parents attended this second annual party. The children ranged in age from infants months to 22-year-olds. All have had open-heart surgery or other medical procedures to fix congenital heart defects.
Heart conditions are the most common birth defect worldwide, according to Christine Donnelly, director of the hospital’s pediatric cardiology unit.
“The good news is today the defects are more easily diagnosed. As many adults as children are living with congenital heart defects, due to improved diagnostic and surgical techniques,” the cardiologist said.
Photos by Marie Pfeifer. Click icon below for captions.
Margaret Michelli, a social worker in the pediatric cardiac unit at Goryeb Children’s Hospital, said she was hired three years ago “to help families feel less isolated” when dealing with these medical issues in their children.
“I pair them up with families who have had some experience with what they are going through. I enlist the aid of speakers to address their issues as well as psychologists to address their concerns. We also have monthly support groups.”
Michelli said she encourages families to talk about things beyond their children’s medical situation, to lessen the sense of isolation.
Claudine Salayko and her three-year-old daughter, Cassandra, had much to celebrate on Sunday.
“Cassandra was one day old when she was diagnosed with a hole in her heart in front of one of the valves. The location of the hole in her heart is very rare. When she was 19 months old she had surgery to correct it and she’s been fine ever since.
“Since that time she has checkups every two months. This event today is to raise awareness of the prevalence of congenital heart defects in children. For my husband, Mike, and me, we don’t forget for a day.”
Tours of an inflatable, walk-in replica of a heart were conducted by Raul Cadovid, health educator at Overlook Hospital. This was a golden opportunity to learn about the organ from the inside.
“We use the heart to teach school children about the function of the heart and many of the defects and problems that can occur,” said Cadovid. “They learn about proper nutrition and exercise.”
Stewart Kaufman, a pediatric cardiologist for 25 years said technology has progressed so many congenital cardiac defects now are repaired “in the catherization lab instead of the operating room.”
The children enjoyed visiting with certified therapy dogs from St. Hubert’s Giralda, as part of the PAWS for People Program.
Clowns and music added to the festivities, which included fresh fruit, red velvet cupcakes, brownies, chocolates and numerous other sweets to please young and old.
Magic Bob had exuberant children happily calling out responses to questions leading into his magic show.
Seven-year-old David Deininger was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a non-working left ventricle. David’s mother, Ann, said David has undergone three open heart surgeries and three catherizations at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. His first surgery came when he was just 12 hours old. Surgery followed at age nine months and again before he was four.
“The corrections have been palliative and the prognosis is good for him,” said Ann Deininger. “I have been told he is more high-functioning than most children with this defect. He can ride a bike, run and play but not participate in contact sports. David takes Coumadin every day” to prevent blood clotting.
Despite 13 hospitalizations, David is friendly and pleasant. One never would suspect what he and the other children have endured.
The party was a celebration of their remarkable progress, and of inextricably linked anniversaries of births and surgeries.
Heart conditions are the most common birth defect among all