S4 EP 23 | Michaela Part 2 | Open Heart Surgery & Life at Home as a Family

In honor of heart month, this week's episode is part 2 of Michaela’s motherhood journey with her daughter and heart warrior, Mia. After Mia’s 20 week ultrasound, she was diagnosed with congenital heart disease and a mass in the middle of her face. Mia was born via c section at 39 weeks and after 155 days in the cardiovascular ICU fighting for her life.

Because of the severity of her heart defects (DORV, TGA, Hypoplastic RV, Pulmonary Atresia, and VSD) she ended up having three heart surgeries in the first 6 months of her life. After her birth, the mass on her face was diagnosed as a mature teratoma (tumor). Because of the presence of the tumor, Mia has a severe facial cleft that causes vision and nasal airway problems. The tumor was removed when she was almost 4 months old.

Throughout this episode Michaela shares about how Mia has proven to be a warrior and pursued through every obstacle she came up against; including 4 major surgeries, cardiac arrest, an hour of CPR and two weeks of ECMO support. She has a long road ahead of her with another heart surgery, an unknown amount of facial surgeries and navigating life with a visible facial difference, but for today, Mia is thriving at home. She loves playing with her sisters and is the happiest 2 year old her parents have met!

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