I try and ride the courage classic every year. The first time I rode was in 2003. SOOOO many years ago. After an exciting start working in Oncology/Bone Marrow transplant, I transitioned to taking care of children with congenital heart disease. I have worked in the NICU, the PICU, the CICU, Cardiology clinic, Special Care clinic. I am retired now but still spend a lot of time supporting Children’s Hospital Colorado. I happen to be married to the Chief of Cardiac Surgery. He is incredibly inspiring. We share a commitment to the Heart Institute and CHCO. This year I wanted to share, with my friends and family, information about an interesting specialty within the Heart Institute. When children with congenital heart disease started surviving, living longer and living overall normal healthy lives, a new specialty emerged. Adult Congenital Cardiology! What is that? Well, when a child is born with a congenital anomaly, they often need lifelong follow up to monitor their hearts. It takes a group of specialists within the Heart Institute to make sure folks are taken care of through out their lifespan. Some need repeat surgeries or interventions, medicine…the list goes on and on.
This year, one of my dear life-long friends who was lost to follow up as a child died from complications related to a congenital cardiac anomaly. While she was NOT a patient at CHCO, she would have greatly benefited from being seen in a complex congenital clinic like we have here at Children’s. I want the world to know what great work can be done with good follow up and support!
I hope this provided a little insight into the world of cardiac care at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Please help me continue the good work we are doing there!
Faith
