Show notes
Here we are in the last week of February, which is heart month, and I am so honored to bring you Melissa's story. We have discussed other heart defects before, such as tetralogy of fallot and hypoplastic left heart syndrome. This is the first time we are talking about transposition of the great arteries, or TGA. TGA is diagnosed in utero and requires surgery within days. I know Melissa's story will bring so much value, comfort, and validation to other parents.
In this episode, we talk about…
[1:54] Melissa's background and family
[3:29] Getting the diagnosis of of transposition of the great arteries (TGA)
[9:26] Melissa's son's birth and treatment after birth
[15:11] Melissa's son's surgery
[25:24] Stenosis after surgery
[29:15] A second surgery to patch arteries
[32:24] Inflammation of the thymus
[34:45] Recovery after two surgeries in two weeks
[37:15] What helped Melissa through this experience in the hospital
[42:00] Going home after five weeks in the hospital
[44:50] Update on Melissa's son
Connect with Melissa:
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When parents feel empowered, everyone wins – kids thrive and the care team excels!
Links and Resources:
- 85% of users report high satisfaction, appreciating the SupportSpot app's comprehensive resources and user-friendly interface.
- 92% of parent users say the SupportSpot app's helped them understand medical procedures and treatment better.
- 80% of parents believe the SupportSpot app's has contributed to better health outcomes for their child.
- 73% of parent users believe the SupportSpot app's has made them feel more empowered to advocate for their child in healthcare
Learn more here.
Meet the host:
Katie Taylor is the co-founder and CEO of Child Life On Call, a digital platform designed to provide parents, kids, and the care team with access to child life services tools and resources. She is a certified child life specialist with over 13 years of experience working in various pediatric healthcare settings. Katie is the author of the children's book, and has presented on the topics of child life and entrepreneurship, psychosocial care in the hospital, and supporting caregivers in the NICU setting both nationally and internationally. She is also the host of the Child Life On Call Podcast which features interviews with parents discussing their experiences throughout their child's medical journey. The podcast emphasizes the crucial role of child life services in enabling caregivers both at and beyond the bedside.
Instagram.com/childlifeoncall
The Child Life On Call Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The content shared in each episode, including stories, discussions, and interviews, is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast. The views and opinions expressed by guests on the Child Life On Call Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Child Life On Call. Child Life On Call does not endorse any specific medical treatments, procedures, or opinions shared in the podcast. If you or your child are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate medical attention. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that Child Life On Call and its affiliates are not responsible for any decisions made based on the information provided.
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