Expert Care for a Heart Warrior

Amanda was a month away from her due date when a routine ultrasound showed an abnormality with her baby’s heart.

“Suddenly my husband and I were on our way to Children’s National Hospital ― it was a whirlwind,” Amanda recalls. Tests showed that her baby had a congenital heart defect called Ebstein’s Anomaly. This rare defect causes a heart-valve malformation and prevents proper blood flow. Cardiologists at our hospital created a treatment plan that would start immediately after the baby’s birth.

When Jameson was born, the Children’s National transport team rushed him to the hospital’s cardiac intensive care unit. Treatment allowed Jameson’s doctors to delay surgery until he was older and stronger.

“As terrified as we were, we knew were in good hands,” says Amanda. “The doctors and nurses always listened to us, answered our many questions and put us at ease.” Jameson had surgery at 5 years old to repair his heart defect.

These days, Jameson is an energetic 8-year-old who loves hockey, video games and playing with his friends. He often shows off the scar on his chest and shares the story about how doctors fixed his heart.

“His care team became our second family,” says Amanda, who volunteers at the hospital to support other families. “They don’t just take care of your child, they take care of you.”