Ajax & Brown Puppy
During her first ultrasound appointment, Lauren received shocking news. Her doctor told her that her baby boy, Ajax, was diagnosed with double outlet right ventricle, a congenital heart defect that affects the body’s blood flow and oxygen levels.
Shortly after Ajax was born, he was taken to UPMC Children’s to be monitored by the Heart Institute team. At one week old, Ajax underwent the first of three procedures to fix his heart. He stayed in the hospital for the next four months to await his second surgery. After recovery, Ajax’s parents finally took their son home and continued to see the team at UPMC Children’s for follow-up care. When he was two and a half, Ajax had his final open heart procedure.
At one of his hospital visits, Ajax picked out a stuffed animal from the gift shop. He chose Brown Puppy, a new companion that instantly became Ajax’s best friend. Brown Puppy stays by Ajax’s side through it all – from bedtime snuggles to a recent cath lab visit with Sara Trucco, MD.
Ajax's treatment and results may not be representative of all similar cases.