BrynleighsBelievers

Brynleigh was born with Congenital heart defects (2 holes in her heart) and one kidney. Her heart defects consist of Complete Atrioventricular Canal Defect which is a large hole in the center of the heart affecting all 4 chambers where they would normally be divided. This allows blood to mix and the chambers/valves to not regulate blood flow in the heart. It also allows extra blood flow to the lungs, which causes pressure in the lungs and the heart to overwork itself causing the heart muscle to enlarge. If untreated, it causes heart failure or pulmonary hypertension. Surgery is typically done within the first year of life to close the hole and reconstruct the heart valve. In addition to having AV Canal, she also has a small VSD (Ventricular Septal Defect: "hole") which is allowing extra blood flow and pressure through both the holes combined. This hole is in the lower chambers of her heart. Due to the bottom hole not closing on its own and the risk of pulmonary hypertension with waiting, Brynleigh will be undergoing her first Open Heart Surgery within the next 2 months (by 8 months old). This will consist of a patch over the holes and fixing the heart valve. Brynleigh's heart will never be "normal", but this will allow her to live a normal life as much as possible with the possibility of surgery again in the future. H