Saving Little Hearts

Hawkins family heart story submitted by heart mom Regina Hawkins.

On September 28, 1998, our daughter, Olivia Rose was born. She was healthy, or so we thought. At her six month well baby check up we were told that she had a heart murmur. She was scheduled immediately to go to a pediatric cardiologist. We were told that she had a congenital heart defect called sub aortic stenosis. My husband and I were devastated. Not having ever heard of CHD's we did not know where to turn to for help. Every six months for the next five years we were at the cardiologist for check ups and every time thinking this would be the time that she would need surgery. Well the day came when the narrowing of the heart valve was severe and she would need surgery in October of 2003. Dr. Karla Christian performed Olivia's surgery at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital in Nashville, TN. This, I believe, was the longest week of our lives, watching our daughter being wheeled away, knowing what was about to happen, but also knowing it had to be done. The surgery and hospital stay went well and today Olivia is a happy, active, normal as can be 7 year old girl.