Aaron's Heart 2-5-87

Just over 20 years ago, our son was featured on Channel 2 News at Noon and again on that evening's News at Ten. Aaron was undergoing major heart surgery and we were asked by John Fowler if he could present Aaron's surgery in a story that mentioned how commonplace these operations were becoming. We agreed and then recorded the pieces on VHS. We also recorded a few minutes about a party that occurred every year in February at Children's Hospital Oakland. In August 2007, Aaron underwent another open heart surgery called a Fontan Revision. This was necessary after he suffered arterial flutter, a common problem for the patients that had the Fontan procedure years ago.

From our perspective, the current story is how these your heart patients are now so much older and need the medical system to change in order to accommodate their needs (insurance, definition of "disabled", how cardiologists need to understand the differences between these Adult Congenital Heart Defect patients and their more usual patients, etc.).

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• congenital
• heart
• defect
• surgery
• fontan
• TV
• KTVU

[AddiesMamma]

What was his CHD? My daughter, Adelle, had HLHS. She passed away at 15 days old after having her Norwood. She needed at least two more open heart surgeries, her hemi-fontan and fontan.

[randylee3]

Aaron was initially diagnosed with Tricuspid Atresia. This was modified to Double Inlet Left Ventricle. Of course, there were a few other issues (a couple of holes for instance). We're sorry to hear about your Adelle. We pray for the doctors that no others will be taken.

[dingding3109]

Is this Disease Genetic

[randylee3]

Well, family history sure plays a part. For instance, several years after Aaron's surgeries, I (his father) had to undergo open heart surgery for a "simple" problem (ASD, a hole in the heart that did not close properly at birth).

[jbpitt81]

I had this procedure in June of 1986 when I was 5 years old. I will be having a Fontan revision Feb. 8th 2011 at UPMC Children in Pittsburgh PA.

[johnnyafairbanks]

Actually, 1968; he was promoted to anchor in 1976, the same year Lloyd Robertson left CBC for CTV.

[auntarie2]

Thank you for sharing this video and your knowledge. Genetics are definitely a factor, but environmental circumstances also play a part. I wrote about my own personal experience in ablog while I was recovering from my second Fontan in 2007.

[auntarie2]

I am a survivor of this surgery- and had my very own Fontan Conversion in January 2007 in Chicago! Amazing advances these medical experts have made in the years since I was born- I am thankful everyday for having been born in a day in age where this stuff is possible.

[angelapleasant2007]

Can You find The KTVU's The 10 O'Clock News open 1989

[dinfg6]

we will miss him :(

[dinfg6]

We will miss Dennis on 2

[AddiesMamma]

It is interesting how those septal defects (holes in the heart) often become a means of survival for children with complex heart defects. I don't know if it was that way for Aaron, but it was for Addie. How old is Aaron now? Thank you, all we can do is spread awareness and pray to God for an answer. Best of Luck- Gina