During a prenatal sonogram, Abbie learned that her daughter, Gwen, had hypoplastic pulmonary atresia — a congenital heart defect that occurs when the pulmonary valve doesn’t form properly, leading to an undeveloped ventricle and a blockage of blood flow to the lungs.
Shortly after birth, Gwen had surgery to repair the valve, but she would ultimately need a heart transplant when she was 80 days old.
Gwen lived with her new heart for eight years, but in early 2024, she experienced cold symptoms that wouldn’t go away. She was admitted to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in February and again listed for a transplant.
Gwen remained in the hospital for nearly a year, awaiting her new heart. Mario Castro-Medina, MD, a cardiothoracic surgeon at UPMC Children’s, encouraged Abbie and her husband, Glenn, to be as patient as possible throughout this experience.
“It was difficult to see my daughter so tired — receiving IV drips and having numerous drains in place,” Abbie explains. “However, if it weren’t for Dr. Mario, this successful transplant surgery wouldn’t have happened. The team went above and beyond to ensure my daughter had the right heart for her.”
During her appointments and throughout her hospital stay, Gwen also found support in the form of a stuffed companion who was always by her side.