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Our story begins in 2002 while my husband Jason and I were stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. A year later, we became pregnant with Kael. When I was 5 ½ months, we learned that our son had a rare and complex Congenital Heart Defect known Taussig-Bing Anomaly, (Double Outlet Right Ventricle, Ventricular Septal Defect, Atrial Septal Defect, Transposition of the Great Arteries, and Pulmonary Stenosis). The nurse/doctor informed us that Kael needed to have surgery right after birth. The facility in Hawaii was not able to handle this type of care. The Cardiologist gave the option to go to San Diego. Since we had family and friends in Nashville, TN, I researched Vanderbilt Hospital and if Kael’s surgery could be preformed there. I gave the acquired information I found on Vanderbilt to our Cardiologist in Hawaii and took leave to visit the facility to determine if Vanderbilt was capable of handling the care Kael would need.

After his research, we received orders to move to Nashville, TN. Kael started his care at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. He was born February 18, 2004, just 2 weeks after the hospital was built. He was the first patient in his pod on the Neonatal Unit. Kael had his 1st open-heart surgery, (Arterial Switch, closure of VSD, all for DORV), at 8 days old. Fortunately, Jason, my husband was able to be there for Kael’s birth and first surgery. Unfortunately, my husband was deployed to Afghanistan soon after Kael’s surgery. At this point, I relied heavily on the staff at the hospital, my family, and friends for support since my husband was deployed. All of our items including our car were still in Hawaii, and I was living with my parents 50 miles away. Kael was in and out of the hospital during the first year. At 5 ½ months, he had a 2nd open-heart surgery, (patch on his upper Pulmonary Artery). I had to fight to get my husband home for this. Jason was able to come home for the actually surgery, but had to leave while Kael in the hospital. Kael became very ill. The doctors were not sure what was wrong. Again, the staff was so understanding, comforting, and informative as Kael was going through multiple tests. His Cardiologist seemed to think that his little body just had enough. He had gone through 2 open-heart surgeries, 3 angiograms, colonoscopy, upper GI, pic line, and central line all before he was 6 months old.

To date he has had 2 open-heart surgeries, 8 angioplasty and everything from a tonsillectomy to a colonoscopy totaling 13 surgeries and/or procedures. Unfortunately, our battle is far from over. He sees his Cardiologist every 6 months and will have a valve replacement in the next coming year. Even though we know we have a long road ahead, the relationship that we have with Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt surpasses my expectations of a great hospital. Kael is never afraid to walk through those doors. He genuinely loves his Cardiologist and nurses. As a parent, I feel having that relationship is just as important as having world-renowned doctors. It is for this reason my husband and I continually fight to stay here. As a military family that fight never ends, but we feel so strongly that this is the best place for our son. Kael is now 6 ½ yrs old and ALL boy. Despite everything he has gone through, we have had many triumphs. He is the smartest little person I know. He is the greatest gift we have ever received. We chose the name Kael because it means mighty warrior and he is by far the most courageous warrior I will ever have the pleasure of knowing.

-Kara Adams