Dottie

An Ebstein's Anomaly Warrior

At my 20 week anatomy sono for our 4th child, we discovered our baby girl had Ebstein's anomaly. This defect of her tricuspid valve causes significant cardiac enlargement and is associated with high risk of fetal demise and high neonatal mortality.

Our Dot was born at full term and spent her first two months in the hospital adapting to life and recovering from her first open heart surgery. She had a second open heart operation when she was 9 months old, which resulted in the need for a permanent pacemaker. Last July, just after her second birthday, we traveled from our home in central Illinois to Pennsylvania for her third open heart surgery, a specialized operation at the Center for Ebstein's Anomaly in Pittsburgh. We felt the Lord's provision over her in each of those big scary moments, and praise Him that she is a walking, talking, spunky 3-year-old today.

Even before we met her, we knew Dottie was a fighter. She was born brave. Her sassy, determined attitude and sweet smile win over the hearts of everyone she meets. This journey has not been easy, and it is far from over, but we thank God for His protection over our precious girl, and are so proud of her for all she's endured.