I'm riding for my 13 year old twins, Max and Zoe who are both CHD patients at Children's Hospital of Colorado. Max's life has been saved by CHCO and he has had 2 valve replacements in his young life so far. We are so thankful for his team.
In October 2015, Max was diagnosed with a leaking bicuspid aortic valve at just 2 years old during a routine check-up. A fill-in pediatrician heard a loud murmur and immediately referred us to a cardiologist. Within weeks, Max had his first echo and we were told he would need open heart surgery before age five due to his malformed valve. A few weeks later, we also learned that Max’s twin sister has a bicuspid aortic valve as well, though thankfully hers is normal and functioning.
This news was especially painful—Max is named after my little brother, who passed away as an infant from Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. His dad and I chose the name to honor his uncle’s memory. Sitting is that room, with my mom and hearing that Max would face a similar journey was absolutely devastating.
In November 2018 at age 5, Max underwent the Ross procedure, where his pulmonary valve replaced his aortic valve, and a bioprosthetic valve was placed in the pulmonary position. Soon after, he developed endocarditis and endured six weeks of IV antibiotics, but he recovered well.
In October 2022, we moved to Denver for the renowned cardiology team at Children’s Hospital of Colorado. In January 2024, Max had a transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement with Dr. Leahy. At that time, we learned his aortic valve was again deteriorating and would require surgery within a few years.
I am honored to ride with Cardiac Climbers—and thrilled his own cardiologist, Dr. Johannes von Alvensleben, and his surgeon Dr. Ryan Leahy are riding also.
