Tag: Heart Defect


  • Can you Cure a broken heart?

    Can you Cure a broken heart?


    I don’t know but I’m willing to find out……. Katja was doing great. She had made the transition from wheelchair to walker and was slowly building her endurance back up. Her Chorea was still progressing but at a slower rate. We decided to have a talk with her Neurology team at Boston and finally caved…

    Read more: Can you Cure a broken heart?
  • That walker is made for walking

    That walker is made for walking


    It’s been awhile. I’d say there is so much to catch up on but honestly, it’s just been 9 months of tough work. Katja has spent the last 12 months in a wheelchair. Both for her lack of function and safety. She’s received therapy (PT, OT and Aquatic) 4-5 days a week for the last…

    Read more: That walker is made for walking
  • De Novo: How New?

    De Novo: How New?


    I’ve been trying for a few weeks now to find the words to write this. Let me first start by saying that Katja’s doing well. We’ve gone up on her dopamine to a point where she was starting to get side effects. Specifically weight loss, nausea and occasional vomiting. So we decided to pause on…

    Read more: De Novo: How New?
  • Stranger Things Have Happened

    Stranger Things Have Happened


    I know I’ve been a bit silent the last 2 weeks. I wish this was due to a much needed recovery from being impatient but unfortunately not. It’s been a super busy few weeks for us. Lots of follow up Dr appts, therapy consults, permanent wheelchair sizing and trying to navigate life with our new…

    Read more: Stranger Things Have Happened
  • Rainbow Power

    Rainbow Power


    The Princess on wheels has been a little down about her new chair. She said it was “dark and sad looking”. A few hours later, some tape, accessories and a aching back… And we have a very colorful Rainbow Powered Ride 😉 She is super happy about it. These days I’ll do anything to get…

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  • New Reality

    New Reality


    Katja’s home!! 🤗🤗🤗 It’s been a long week. I know many of you are just as heart broken, frustrated and upset as we are for Katja. I wish I could give all of you answers but we still don’t have any ourselves. Everything being negative, though not helpful in pinpointing cause, is an answer. It…

    Read more: New Reality
  • Concessions

    Concessions


    Short Version: Yes, we are still inpatient. No, we still don’t have answers. I figured we’d get that out of the way 😉 The long version: Katja’s MRI/MRA were negative for any significant findings or changes. Her EEG was normal. Her swallow study was also good. PT/OT have been stopping in daily to find ways…

    Read more: Concessions
  • Helplessly Hopeful

    Helplessly Hopeful


    Helplessness is never a good feeling. When it’s yourself it can feel terrifying but when it’s your child, it’s maddening. Katja’s Chorea continues to worsen. 3 months ago she was a fully functioning independent 8 year old that was recovering from her 3rd open heart surgery. Now, she’s a fully dependent child that can not…

    Read more: Helplessly Hopeful
  • Hopeful for a New Year

    Hopeful for a New Year


    My absolute hope for 2024 is answers. Why does this keep happening? Why isn’t she responding to meds appropriately? Why is she getting worse instead of better? Why after everything, her? We as a family are heading into this New Year with hope. Hope for answers and hope for Katja. While I don’t have any…

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  • Answers come to those who wait

    Answers come to those who wait


    And wait we have. Over 5 years to be exact and while we didn’t necessarily learn anything new, we have new perspective on what we do know. Let me back track slightly to last night. Katja’s labs, X-ray and testing were all negative. She did test positive for Rhinovirus (common cold). Add to that a…

    Read more: Answers come to those who wait

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

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