Mia’s Story

“Mia, my daughter, was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on August 25, 2023. After birth, complications began as the Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) did not close, giving pace to her first surgery: PDA Closure. Her medical course became complicated by Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) and Midgut Volvulus, bringing in a second diagnosis: Heterotaxy Syndrome, with polysplenia, intestine malrotation, and two appendages. Her second surgery came about through a Ladd’s procedure with appendectomy and Meckel’s resection due to intestinal malrotation. Upon recovery, she was diagnosed with NEC again and at this point, the hospital in New Mexico said they could not do anything else for baby Mia and we were emergently transferred by plane to the Children’s Hospital Colorado (CHCO) where her diagnosis was confirmed as Heterotaxy Syndrome with left atrial isomerism, Right dominant unbalanced AVSD, Interrupted IVC. Immediately after we arrived at the CHCO in late September 2023, Mia had a third surgery to place in a Pulmonary Artery Band (PA Band) to limit blood saturation in the lungs and then a fourth one to place in a Gastrostomy Tube to be able to feed her. Despite the hurdles she has faced, Mia continues to defy the odds with the support of her dedicated medical team and the love of her family.”

– Written by Mia’s Mom