Tell us a little about Eleanor — how old is she, and what is her diagnosis?
Eleanor just turned 2 in July! She was born undiagnosed with Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA) specifically d-TGA. The day she was born, she was rushed by ambulance to Methodist Children’s Hospital, where she underwent a balloon atrial septostomy, a catheter procedure that created a small hole in her heart so her oxygen could mix properly.
When she was just eight days old, she underwent open-heart bypass surgery. Her surgeon described her heart as being the size of a walnut and the texture of tissue paper. He clipped and swapped her two arteries, then reattached them with over 200 tiny sutures. The surgery lasted eight hours, with five and a half hours on bypass.
Eleanor stayed in the hospital for a month after surgery and came home on six different medications. Since then, she’s had three hospital stays and regular follow-ups with cardiology, pulmonology, nephrology, a developmental pediatrician, and her regular pediatrician.
Today, she’s completely off medication and has no activity restrictions from her doctors, other than avoiding contact sports and heavy weightlifting when she’s older. She can play tennis, run, and be an active, thriving toddler. Miraculously, her heart function has continued to improve, and for now, a second surgery isn’t on the table.
What was the moment you first learned about her heart defect?
Eleanor came out purple, and I remember looking at my husband, Collin, and saying, “Something’s wrong.” Within minutes, she had an oxygen mask on. I had a C-section, so I couldn’t move, and Collin could see the doctors’ faces, and we both knew something wasn’t right.
The NICU team rushed her out of the room. A short while later, a doctor told us, “There’s something wrong with her heart.” She was intubated, her oxygen levels were dangerously low, around 30% and she needed to be transferred immediately for surgery.
Collin followed the ambulance to Methodist while I was still in recovery. We were told via FaceTime by a cardiologist that she had TGA and needed emergency surgery to survive. I didn’t even get to hold her before she was taken away. I saw her for the first real time, 24 hours later after being discharged early so I could get to her.
It was all a blur of fear and disbelief. Everything happened so fast that there was no time to process — just faith, and survival mode.
What have been the biggest challenges as a mom?
The hardest part was juggling everything, caring for Eleanor while also being a mom to her older brother, Griffin, who was one at the time. Having two kids in two different places was heartbreaking. I had to trust others to care for Griffin while I focused on Eleanor.
Managing Eleanor’s medications in those early days was also tough: crushing pills, mixing liquids, dividing doses, all while running on no sleep and constant worry. Emotionally, it was hard knowing how to talk about it or when I didn’t want to talk about it at all. Therapy helped a lot during that time.
The unknowns were the hardest: What would her life look like? Would she live a normal childhood? Over time, we’ve learned that while her path might look different, it’s still full of potential, strength, and joy.
What strengths do you see in Eleanor that surprise you?
She’s incredibly resilient. Nothing slows her down. She’s feisty, determined, and full of life. She doesn’t remember what she went through, but I do, and I’m constantly amazed at how strong she is. I truly believe that her determination is what carried her through those early days.
What do you wish more people understood about congenital heart defects?
Before Eleanor, I had no idea how common they were. One in every 100 babies is born with a heart defect, that’s one every 15 minutes in the U.S. It’s the leading cause of infant death, and about 25% of those babies require surgery to survive.
Despite that, congenital heart defects remain significantly underfunded in research compared to other childhood conditions. That’s why we’re passionate about raising awareness and funds, because research and medical advancements are the reason Eleanor is alive today.
Tell us about the San Antonio Congenital Heart Walk and why is it so important to you?
The Congenital Heart Foundation hosts walks across the country to raise money for research, awareness, and support for families affected by congenital heart defects. The San Antonio walk takes place each October, this year it’s on October 26th at Morgan’s Sports Complex.
Our family participates through our team, Team Young at Heart. We walk to celebrate Eleanor’s strength and to honor other heart warriors and angels. It’s a day filled with emotion, remembrance, hope, and community.
Registration is free, and if you donate $75 or more, you’ll receive a walk t-shirt. Registration opens at 8 a.m., the opening ceremony is at 9, and the walk begins at 9:30. Everyone is welcome! Bring your family, wear red, and walk for a cause that truly saves lives.
How can the community support families like yours?
Every little bit counts donations, volunteering, or even just showing up.February 1st is National Wear Red Day, which honors heart warriors of all ages.You can also participate in Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week from February 7–14 — wear red, share facts, and spread awareness.
Even something as simple as asking about a family’s story or wearing red in support can mean the world to a parent who’s been through it.
How do you stay hopeful on the hard days?
Faith. Truly. I believe God uses every challenge for good even the painful ones. Knowing Eleanor’s life has purpose keeps me grounded. This journey is part of our story now, and we embrace it.
And honestly , Eleanor keeps us going. She doesn’t stop, she doesn’t complain, and she approaches every day with joy. Watching her wave at doctors and leave each appointment smiling reminds me that if she can face all she’s endured with that much spirit, then I can too.
If Eleanor could speak for herself, what do you think she’d want people to know?
She’d probably say she’s just like any other kid, don’t treat her differently. She might have a scar and a remarkable story, but she’s full of energy, laughter, and light. She’s proof that a little heart warrior can do big things.
Join Team Young at Heart
The San Antonio Congenital Heart Walk takes place Saturday, October 26th at Morgan’s Sports Complex.
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8:00 a.m. Registration
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9:00 a.m. Opening Ceremony
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9:30 a.m. Walk Kickoff
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Ends at Noon
Join Team Young at Heart or donate directly to the Children’s Heart Foundation to help fund lifesaving research and support families like Eleanor’s.
