At the risk of sounding melodramatic, I believe this book may have saved Nathan’s life.  Walk on Water is Michael Ruhlman’s raw, uncensored look at the life and death drama that takes place in the world of pediatric heart surgery.  Most congenital heart defects (septal defects, e.g.) are routinely corrected, but occasionally, a child presents with complicated or multiple heart defects.  An assumption that all surgeons are created equal can lead to tragedy.

Brace yourself.  The language is frank, and the surgeries are graphic, which can be an emotionally-charged experience for those of us faced with our own child’s drama.  But the understanding and empowerment you will glean from these pages is priceless.

-Karen

Nathan at nine months

I remember the first inkling I had that something might be wrong with my baby. Because of my “advanced age” (but isn’t 40 the new 30?), I traveled to Ochsner Health Center in New Orleans for a 3D ultrasound, a technology that was not available in my hometown of Gulfport, Mississippi, at the time. Boasting four healthy children, I felt no concern as the doctor rolled that transducer all over my jellied-up belly.

I’ll never forget his words: “Karen, I don’t want you to be alarmed…” Of course, I had never been so alarmed in all my life. It was soon revealed that my child’s heart was “on the wrong side”—actually, it was severely twisted backwards. With that clue, we soon would learn that our baby boy had Scimitar Syndrome and would require surgery to prevent heart failure at an early age.

With the help of my computer-wiz brother (thanks, Tom), I am creating this web site for families who have been jarred similarly with news that their child has a congenital heart defect (or other health issues–our Nathan had an additional birth defect). If this is a recent discovery, you are probably hungry for information and eager to find others who have faced similar challenges.

I hope this site can provide some of the comfort and answers you seek.