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Ebstein's Anomaly – Da Silva Center

Image of Jocelyn.

Transcript

Megan Trodglen

Dr. Da Silva was definitely down to earth, and definitely made it a lot easier to prepare for the surgery. We had so many questions and he was able to answer all of them. He felt confident that the surgeries would go well. I will never forget walking down the hallway, carrying Jocelyn, to lay her down on the operating table. Me and the nurses started singing Girl on Fire to her, which was her favorite song as the aesthesia was administered, and her eyes rolled into the back of her head. It was a very scary three hours waiting in the waiting room for the nurses to come and tell us all of the updates, not knowing if she was going to survive. Just praying a lot, and being with my family, and hoping everything went smoothly. When Dr. Da Silva walked through the double-doors to the waiting room after her surgery, I couldn't breathe. It was such a surreal moment just waiting.

Megan Trodglen

When he came up to me, he had the biggest smile on his face. He told me that everything went perfectly. That she's a fighter and that her heart was stabilized. The cone procedure took and she was doing okay. I will never ever forget that moment. Three days after Jocelyn's surgery, she actually did a cartwheel after she was taken off some of her IVs in her room. She was so excited that we had to calm her down so she didn't hurt herself. Three months later, I followed in Jocelyn's footsteps to have my surgery done.

Megan Trodglen

After going through the experience with Jocelyn and Dr. Da Silva, I was confident that everything was going to go smoothly. Recovery was a little bit more difficult than Jocelyn's. I think her being younger, everything was a little bit easier for her, and kids bounce right back. It's a little bit of a progress for me, but after cardiac rehab and just getting to fully embrace my heart, I was able to drop a lot of weight, walk down a hallway without being out of breath, things I had never done before. I will forever be indebted to the team at UPMC, to Glenda for helping us along the way, to the nurses who took care of us, and to Dr. Da Silva for giving us a new lease on life.

Jocelyn Trodglen

Hi. I'm Jocelyn, and I'm five years old. I love unicorns and I love my mom.

Megan Trodglen

What are some things you like to do?

Jocelyn Trodglen

Well, I like to paint, and I also like to draw.

Megan Trodglen

What did Dr. Da Silva do for you?

Jocelyn Trodglen

He did heart surgery.

Megan Trodglen

What do me and you have in common?

Jocelyn Trodglen

Ebstein's anomaly.

Megan Trodglen

That's right. Are you happy?

Jocelyn Trodglen

Yeah.