Priscilla

Priscilla’s journey began on December 29, 2024, when she was born at 35 weeks + 1 day gestation. Though she was low birthweight for a gestational diabetic baby, a heart murmur was detected within 24 hours, prompting a cardiology evaluation and echocardiogram. She was diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve with moderate stenosis, which required a week-long NICU stay for monitoring.

After discharge, follow-up was scheduled for a month later. At the appointment on January 29, 2025, her condition was deemed critical, but her doctors initially wanted to “watch and wait.” Her family insisted on a second opinion, which confirmed she could not wait. She underwent a balloon catheterization on February 20, 2025, reducing her stenosis from critical to mild, with mild-to-moderate regurgitation.

Since then, she has been closely monitored with monthly and later quarterly follow-ups, and her condition is now stable enough for six-month check-ups. Her cardiologist is hopeful she can remain stable until age six, at which point she may receive an adult valve replacement, giving her the best long-term outcome.

Priscilla’s story is a reminder that heart warriors grow stronger every day, and that vigilant care, advocacy, and early action can make all the difference.

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