Victoria's Loving Heart

any times for pneumonia and bronchitis, she was referred to a pulmonary specialist when she was 16 months-old. At first, she was treated for asthma, but since the specialist discovered an x-ray in which her heart seemed enlarged, he scheduled an EKG and EEG to evaluate her heart. As soon as we arrived to her appointment, I was in disbelief that anything could be wrong since she always lived a happy and joyful life, but as soon as the tech finished, I knew that something was wrong because while still in the hospital, the cardiologist called me on the phone and informed me about Victoria's heart function. I couldn't believe that her heart was functioning as poorly as he described it because she never showed any signs of having a heart condition. A few weeks later, at 17 months old, due to the severity of her heart condition, she was scheduled for a heart catheterization to pinpoint exactly the problem and that's when it was first discovered that Victoria was born with ALCAPA. Although we were in shock and disbelief, it was recommended to transport her to UCLA, and as soon as we arrived we were not given much hope. Due to her heart being so deteriorated, her first open heart surgery was scheduled one day after her initial diagnosis. Two weeks after her first open heart surgery, she was discharged and stayed at home for three unforgettable loving weeks until she returned to UCLA Mattel's Children's Hospital with worst heart function than before. To further evaluate her heart function, she had another heart catheterization and was scheduled for a CT Scan on the following day. Unfortunately as she was awaiting for a CT Scan, she had two cardiac arrests, which then prompted us to consider the option of inserting an LVAD machine to help save her life while being evaluated for a heart transplant. At 18 months old, in the hope of allowing her heart to rest and her overall heart function to improve, she underwent another open heart surgery to insert the LVAD machine. Unfortunately, due to the many risks and complications that arised from all the medications that were needed for the LVAD to function properly, her precious life was taken away one day after she was officially listed on status 1A for a heart transplant. Victoriously, Our Precious Victoria earned her heavenly wings at 19-months of age, on August 22, 2014 and her memory will live on forever in our hearts. Helpful Definitions:

Congenital Hear Defect (CHD): an abnormality in your heart's structure that you're born with. ALCAPA: Anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a heart defect in which the left coronary artery (which carries blood to the heart muscle) is connected to the pulmonary artery instead of to the aorta. LVAD: The left ventricular assist device is a mechanical pump that is implanted inside a person's chest to help a weakened heart ventricle pump blood throughout the body. Unlike a total artificial heart, the LVAD doesn't replace the heart. It just helps it do its job. Heart Catheterization: A medical procedure that cardiologists (heart specialists) use to evaluate heart function and diagnose cardiovascular conditions. During cardiac catheterization, a long narrow tube called a catheter is inserted in an artery or vein in your groin, neck, or arm.