Before the Operation

• Krista and Maple
• Martita's Story
• Sadly Alone, Yet Strong
• Sound of my Heart
• Tanesha's Story
• Kailin’s Story-Part I: Introduction

Krista & Maple

Krista's Heart

When Krista was born she had a heart problem. It didn't beat all the time (well just slowly sometimes). When she was 7 years old she went ot the doctor. The Doctor said "gee Krista your heart has slowed down".

Anyway then he said "how about a PACEMAKER"?

Well Krista said NO WAY JOSE!!!!!!

Then her Dad said "come on little guy" don't be a whimpy kid. And if you have the operation, I'll get you a new dog. Her Dad was right. Her new dog is named Maple. Krista really loves her.Krista walks the dog every day. Krista feeds her dog every day.

Now it's time for Krista's pacemaker. Krista told the doctor "go for it pal" I've got my dog now.

Krista wants to go to disneyworld when she's done with the operation with her dog and her 3 sisters.

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Martita's Story

MONDAY, JUNE 6 1998:

My mom jaqueline, my dad Johnny and my uncle Arnold brought me to this children's hospital which is in Boston, Mass. For the best possible surgeon in the United States. We left Springfield, Mass. At about 4:15 a.M. We arrived at the hospital at about 6:15 a.M. I was not able to eat anything all day. My surgery was not until 12:00 noon . While we were waiting for our time to come we read books, played with toys, watched cartoons and talk shows and learned how to operate this computer.

The reason we are here today is because I need to have my heart corrected so that I won't have trouble in the future. My mom and dad left to go eat something because it has been a long day. This was about 10:30 am. I also wanted to mention that I have been very patient and cooperative with the nurses who prepared me before surgery. There was a lady who we met with first and we closed our eyes together. She asked God to comfort me and guide me through this emotional and scary time in my life. She also asked Him to be with me while I recover. This lady prayed for me; she actually spoke to God for me. God bless every child who comes to this excellent hospital.....

My uncle Arnie wrote this for me because I am only 5 years old.

I'm Martita's Father. On 6-1-98 she will have surgery at 12 noon. Surgery will last 2 hours. She is five years old.

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Sadly Alone, Yet Strong

My name is Sacoya Moore and I have a problem. I'm 16 years old and I have a real bad heart problem and I'm getting ready to have a heart transplant really soon. But the hardest thing is my mother just had 2 strokes and a seizure and I have a little brother. So it's so hard to leave them alone so I just stay strong and do what I have to do and if you ever have this kind of problem, just stay strong for your family and think of me *Sacoya*.

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Sound of My Heart

My heart sounds like a washing machine because it has three holes in it.
My friends say it sounds like that.
My heart sounds different.

Age 8 girl
Conversation with Child Life Specialist during visit to hospital prior to an operation.

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Tanesha's Story

I was having trouble breathing so I came to hospital for a check up.

They told me that I had to have a valve replaced. I was really scared but I came in for the operation which was kind of scary.

Now everything is going to be fine and hopefully I will go home soon.

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Kailin’s Story-Part I: Introduction

Hi!  My name is Kailin!  I am 17 years old, and I was born with a congenital heart defect.  It sounds scary, but it basically means that my heart just wasn’t formed correctly when it was time for me to be born.  Some babies are born with different heart defects that cause problems right away.  My problem took a little longer to be noticed.  My heart problem was called an Atrial Septal Defect, ASD for short.  Simply, I had hole in my heart, and the hole was making my heart work harder.  Unless my heart got fixed, I would never be able to grow up to be healthy and strong.

When I was four and a half years old, it was time to fix my heart.  My doctors needed to close the hole in my heart in a special operation called open-heart surgery.   So my mom, dad, and I packed our suitcases and went off to the hospital to have my operation.

To read more about Kailin’s experiences, click here.

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