Garrett’s Journey

Within my first few hours of life, my parents were told that my pediatrician heard a concerning heart murmur on his bedside exam that was not previously caught on any of my mother’s regular ultrasounds during pregnancy. As a result, a variety of tests were ordered, including an echocardiogram that revealed my diagnosis: Tetralogy of Fallot.

From a young age, my parents were told that I may not excel physically or mentally as a result of my condition, and that I would require multiple heart surgeries across my lifespan. However, for me, nothing really ever felt different. I could perform to the same expectations both physically and mentally as my other friends and often pushed myself to go beyond the norm in the classroom and on the baseball field.

Having been so young for my first two open heart surgeries, the only thing that served as a reminder were frequent doctors appointments and the scar I had on my chest, which was usually protected by a rash guard when I was little. I also had the opportunity to speak with other patients and families through fundraisers and events at Children’s Hospital of Orange County. These events showed me that I had a unique opportunity to connect with others who faced congenital heart disease diagnoses and bring them a sense of understanding and comfort as I shared my story.

Come time for my pulmonary valve replacement the summer before high school, I was nervous because it felt like my first real surgery, or at least the first one I would remember. I was wheeled into the operating room and was swiftly off to sleep. In waking after surgery, everything seemed to be moving rather slow and I noticed a nurse making a commotion at my bedside.

Quickly, my room flooded with health care professionals, bright lights were placed over my head, and a mask was brought to my face as I drifted out of consciousness.

I would later learn that I suffered a mammary artery laceration during my initial pulmonary valve replacement and had been bleeding internally for more than 24 hours. My parents told me how scared they were when they were removed from my CVICU room so it could be converted into a functional OR in an attempt to save my life.

About a week later, I walked out of the hospital on my own two feet with a new perspective on life with congenital heart disease and what my purpose was. I decided to pursue a career in medicine, specifically in becoming a physician, and thought that my unique patient experiences would allow me to provide patients with a deeper sense of empathy and understanding.

Throughout high school, I excelled in the classroom and played on my high schools baseball team until I faced a lower back injury near the end of my senior year. Though I had lost my identity as an athlete, I knew my focus was on academics and pursuing a career as a physician.

Come college, I began a job as a medical scribe to gain clinical experience on the physician side of the bed and it solidified my choice to pursue this career. Though time had gone fast since my previous open heart surgeries prior to high school, I again found myself on the operating table twice in college: once for a cardiac ablation, and again for another pulmonary valve replacement. Though, both of these procedures were performed via minimally invasive catheterization and required a much less intensive recovery period.

I continued to work towards my dream of becoming a doctor and can now say that I have shown myself that there is no limit to what I can achieve. Despite the limitations and expectations initially placed on me when I was first diagnosed, I conquered high school, athletic goals, college, and now the MCAT and am applying to medical school. I hope that I can one day become a physician who can touch the lives of many and be there for patients when they need me most.

My diagnosis has given me an outlet that showed me what my true purpose in life is, and that is to help others who have a heart like mine. I created this platform to connect with other patients and families who are affected by congenital heart disease and to share stories from real people who have real experiences. I hope this platform can reach others to show them they are not alone and give at least one person a sense of comfort and possiblity what they may expect in some aspects of their care. Please feel free to comment, reach out to the email on this website, and share your story. I can’t wait to hear from more of you!

From,

Garrett

Founder-Hearts Like mine

This blog section of the site will serve as a place to post stories and experiences from patients/families/friends who are looking to reach out and help connect to others along their journey, so please message us under the contact information provided on the site to share your story! I look forward to what the future holds, and I cannot wait to connect with you all!