Welcome!


Welcome to Katja’s blog. A place for information, updates and our “laugh instead of cry” humor of living with a child with CHD (Congenital Heart Defects). Take a seat and prepare for a long emotional journey of our ups and downs. Feel free to browse posts about Katja, her heart and her previous surgeries. Newest updates are available below:

Updates


  • As I always say… “No news is good news”.

    We spent the summer blissfully appointment and hospital free. Katja was doing great and we very much enjoyed the break.

    Two months…. We got two.

    Early Sept I started to notice her a little off. I had hoped it was just the Tween years upon us. Then we saw Transplant…..

    There is significant changes to her pulmonary donor valve. Some minor/moderate ones to her aortic. Then her DSA’s (donor specific antibodies from her donor) increased with new types showing. Yesterday she had repeat labs. Her BNP (measures heart damage) increased 3 times in 2 weeks. Her immunosuppressant levels plummeted too.

    Seattle is consulting with DC and Boston. We still don’t know what rejection looks like in PHT kids. We have no way to test the tissue either. Her teams are scratching their heads as to what is causing this.

    For now, we are continuing to repeat labs, repeat her echos and watch/wait. Pray for Katja, she needs a break. This kid has suffered so much through her short life, she deserves a break 💔


More Updates

  • Phase 2

    Phase 2


    Katja has now been placed on Bypass. Her body is being supported by the machine. Over the next few hours, her surgeons will disconnect her Aortic root and pulmonary artery. They will replace them with the living donor tissue. The most critical stage will follow after, getting her off Bypass and allowing the heart to…

    Read more: Phase 2
  • Phase 1

    Phase 1


    We have first incision. Surgery has started and is progressing well. ❤️

    Read more: Phase 1
  • The Wait Begins

    The Wait Begins


    There was a bit of a delay this morning as another heart warrior received a full heart transplant. Katja is now back and prep for surgery has begun. Now we wait …. ❤️❤️❤️

    Read more: The Wait Begins

About Us


We are a fun loving family of 7. I’m Jenn, the Mom and words behind the blog. Dad Jori is the IT backbone of making sure I don’t go crazy over features. We have 5 beautiful children. Nevaeh (17), Twins Arianna & Araceli (15), Katja “Our Mended little Heart” (9) and Gryffin “Finn” (4).

Save Katja’s Heart: Urgent Flight for a Rare Transplant

Help us help Katja!

Search our Blog


Subscribe


Recent Updates


Recent Posts