Rheytt

An HLHS Warrior

Rheytt was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) on 9/3/23. She underwent her first open heart surgery called the Norwood at just 4 days old. She was one of the quickest recoveries they had ever seen, leaving just a few weeks later. Around 4 months old, she underwent her second open heart surgery called the Glenn procedure. This stay wasn’t as smooth and quick as the first; she had some complications post-op, causing her to be reintubated. Rheytt has been to the hospital a few times for trouble breathing and illnesses. One of those was having to be airlifted from her backyard. A few days before her first birthday, she was ambulanced to St. Louis Children’s Hospital for difficulty breathing. They diagnosed her with a Chylous effusion. From there, she would go on a strict diet for weeks (the effusion is caused by fatty foods). She had a chest tube placed multiple times during this stay and even a cath lab procedure. She’s had many cath procedures, sticks and pokes, echos, and x-rays, and she continues to show us her strength daily. Now at 18 months old, she is NG tube free as of a few weeks ago and one of the happiest, spiciest kiddos you’ve ever seen. She is our fighter, the strongest girl we know.