Theodore was born with Tetralogy of Fallot in December 2021. A malformation that was never seen at the 20-week ultrasound. When he was 3 days old, the Drummondville pediatrician sent us to the CHUS in Sherbrooke. The verdict: our little love would undergo open-heart surgery. On March 7th, 2022, aged 2 1/2 months, he was admitted to the Montreal Children’s Hospital, Théodore desaturated at 37. On March 8th, he was on the operating table for open-heart surgery. Dr. Tchekhov and his team performed a miracle that day! Thanks to the En Coeur Foundation, we were able to stay at the Manoir Ronald McDonald’s in Drummondville, and knowing we’d have a place to sleep at low cost was a great relief. We stayed at the hospital for a total of 15 days. Our parking was paid for, as were our meals in the hospital cafeteria. Our stay was very difficult, but thanks to En Cœur Foundation, we felt supported and understood.
The Foundation enabled us to devote ourselves exclusively to our son’s recovery. Knowing that we had a roof over our heads, meals and parking spaces, without having to empty our wallets, was a great relief. Théodore is monitored regularly every year by his cardiologist, who is just as extraordinary. Due to his malformation, his aorta is smaller than normal, and he may have to undergo surgery again in the years to come. But one thing is certain, our little Théo is growing up wonderfully, and it’s all thanks to the doctors, the Foundation and all the staff involved. Thank you so much!
Living with a sick child is never easy, we experience so much anxiety and incomprehension, but don’t give up hope! Our children are real little warriors, ready to face any storm!