Donna Fitzgerald
May 2021
Donna
Fitzgerald
,
RN
Cardiology
Riley Hospital for Children
Indianapolis
,
IN
United States

 

 

 

Donna offered the knowledge of the ins and outs...the what to expect...the "I've got yous" we needed and will need.
In April, our otherwise healthy (to date!) four year old went into Cardiac Arrest on our kitchen floor - the beginning of this month long quest for information, diagnostics, care, surgery, and education in order for us to be best prepared to keep her safe should, in the ways we explained, her heart needed a little extra help again. There have been a hundred tiny miracles...those "right places at the right times" that have allowed us to have her with us healthy, happy, and strong. As we understood, through Genetics, her rare mutation, and the corresponding higher incidence of repeat cardiac events and reduced efficacy of traditional intervention, we cried, we worried, we mourned. Then, we got to work-getting behind the best plan...only plan... to place an ICD to provide the therapy necessary for future events. Three weeks ago we likely would have "known" what ACD and ICD were but had NO idea that its electricity would save and likely will save again, our little girl's life. The care team at Riley has had her on their hearts and minds. We have felt it. Seen it. Been invited into that magical process where science, art, research, genetics, and quality of life all culminate in one tiny little girl. While we were immediately on board to place the necessary device to best ensure her safety moving forward, we had a gazillion "just exactly how does this look in real life" questions post-operation. And THAT'S when she walked into our world. She offered the knowledge of the ins and outs...the what to expect...the "I've got yous" we needed and will need. Meeting us in our daughter's hospital room, she offered the comfort of "I will be 'accessibly in' her picture for some time. We will figure this thing out together". Thank you for being in her clinical picture... and our "corner" as we have the blessing, miracle, and privilege of bringing our daughter home safely for a happy and full life.