On what should have been the happiest day of my life, quickly became the most heartbreaking when I learned my newborn daughter was born with a congenital heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. There was no time to snuggle, no time to ooh and ahh, no time to bond. Within moments, my beautiful daughter, Alexis, was whisked away to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for further evaluation.
When I was finally able to see her, she was hooked up to a heart monitor, a pulse oximeter, an oxygen mask and several IV’s providing numerous medications to keep her heart pumping.
Within hours of her birth, I was told “Your daughter needs a heart transplant”. My heart sunk. I couldn’t think. I was scared. I was confused. I was angry.
As my girl went through the work up to be listed for a heart transplant with UNOS, all I could think about was the family that would be left with empty arms. A family that in the midst of their tragedy would say YES to organ donation. My heart ached.
Alexis waited in the NICU for 6 months and 4 days for the perfect heart. It was a painful journey filled with many ups and downs. She fought so hard and I believe she was waiting for the PERFECT heart, which is exactly what she received.
Alexis is now 17, a junior in high school, loves music, kayaking, going to Camp del Corazon, traveling, participating in the Transplant Games of America and enjoys sharing her story as a OneLegacy Donate Life Ambassador. We are ever so grateful for the gift Alexis was given. Nicholas, our precious donor, and his incredible family are in our hearts always. Had they not said YES to organ donation, I would not have my beautiful girl today. Nicholas is our HERO.
THANK YOU for registering to become an organ, eye or tissue donor. Your legacy will live on by giving life to of one of the thousands of infants, children and adults waiting for the most gracious gift of all.
Suzanne Hollander
Mother of Alexis, born on July 18, 2002 and transplanted on January 22, 2003.
