Keith's Journey

Keith's Journey

Just a little bit about Keith's journey........
On October 22, 2006 my husband and I welcomed our first little miracle into this world. Keith was born on time and under the presumption that he was completely healthy; with the exception of a minor heart murmur. However, Keith kept getting sick with ear infections, colds, and other virus that we just couldn't quite get a handle on. At two months we took him to the ER in the middle of the night because he had stopped eating and could not hold anything down. Due to his numerous illnesses and antibiotics he had gotten Clostridium difficile. After being admitted, Keith was put through a battery of tests because he wasn’t breathing correctly, his color was blueish, and he was just overall one very sick little man. It was that day that we found our that Keith had an Atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) that would require open heart surgery to be fixed. It’s a pretty common surgery that is preformed in children with congenital heart defects such as our son’s. But Keith’s journey has been anything but normal since that day of his original diagnosis.

During those first months Keith was in and out of the hospital almost monthly due to heart failure. So much so that his first surgery was supposed to be at two years, and by six months he was prepping for his first open heart. On April 4th, 2007 he came out of surgery very weak and had a very difficult time being taken off the ventilator. We found out after a few days that this was because of another set of underlying problems. On top of that he had went into partial heart block due to some nerve damage caused by the first surgery, which would required the implantation of a pacemaker before he was able to leave the PICU. The other problem that was that his mitral valve would at some point need to be replaced. They were predicting that he would be about five or so before this would be necessary. After a long stay at Children’s Mercy; Keith was sent home to grow so that the replacement surgery would be successful.

Ten days after his hospital release he was back for another open heart surgery for that very procedure due to complications and his little heart just not being able to keep up. The valve was replaced and Keith bounced back quickly this time. He is required to take certain medications that with a child it can be very demanding due to side effects, and he is looking at more open heart surgeries as he outgrows this valve. He has a very difficult time putting on weight, even though he eats well. He has many restrictions due to his prosthetic valve, pacemaker, and medication. But even with all of this Keith is a very active and cheerful six year old. He handles his “special heart” condition with more grace than most adults would. He has had different procedures/surgeries over the years related to his heart condition, and goes into each one with such a positive attitude. Keith, in my opinion, is one tough little dude. He has a regular routine of doctors appointments, blood draws, ekg's, echo cardiograms, pacemaker reads, etc. that would be tough for an older person to handle. However, somehow my little man always makes each appointment fun! He always wears a smile and is always excited to see his doctor!

Keith had his pacemaker changed out this past year and did wonderfully! It was actually a pretty simple procedure, if there is such a thing.

At this point we know that his future holds more surgeries that are much more difficult. But our little man is strong and God is very good! So we try to keep our minds on today and what he can and will accomplish!!!!

Keith has had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of the Children's Miracle Network of Hospitals.  This organization is truly awesome, and has helped our family in countless ways!

In this particular picture he had the pleasure of enjoying an root beer float to help benefit CMNH at Walmart!!! I don't think that there is any better way to start of an evening!!!!