Disclaimer :: This post is sponsored by Manning Family Children’s. A testimonial was provided by Kerribeth Tanksley.
Heart, Hope, and Healing: Our Journey with HLHS at Manning Family Children’s
When I was 23 weeks pregnant, we received news that changed our lives forever: our baby had a rare congenital heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). In
short, the left side of her heart had not formed. We were devastated. However, after extensive research, guidance from our doctors, and many prayers, we learned that with the right care, Jules could do more than just survive; she could thrive.
Our surgeon, Dr. Timothy Pettitt, met with us on a Saturday at Manning Family Children’s. He sat with us and walked us through exactly what life would look like. Meeting him, we knew immediately that he had an amazing gift for saving babies like ours.
The road ahead wouldn’t be easy; it would require a minimum of three open-heart surgeries. But Dr. Pettitt gave us so much hope. By the grace of God, if Jules was strong enough, she could make it. Choosing Manning Family Children’s for her care was one of the easiest decisions we ever made.
The day after she was born, Jules was flown by helicopter to Manning Family Children’s Level 4 NICU. At just six days old, she underwent the Norwood-Sano procedure, an intense 12-hour open-heart surgery that reconstructed her aorta using a bovine graft (cow heart). Dr. Pettitt said Jules’s aorta was only 2mm wide—the smallest he had ever seen!
During those grueling days, it wasn’t just Jules who was cared for; our entire family was wrapped in support. From the lactation nurses and the Cardiac ICU team to the therapists and social workers, we felt truly loved and encouraged.
Jules spent 38 days in the hospital during that first stay, which included a procedure for a G-tube to assist with her feedings and medication. Thanks to the dedicated home monitoring program and her nurse, Lynn Bardales, we were finally able to head home.
Jules had her second surgery, the Glenn, at six months old. By the end of her first year, she had spent a total of 60 days in the hospital receiving the gold standard of care. At age three, Dr. Pettitt successfully performed her third surgery, the Fontan.
Today, Jules is seven years old and absolutely thriving! She is a first grader who loves to dance and live life to the fullest.
Manning Family Children’s holds a permanent place in our hearts. The staff has truly become our family. Jules actually looks forward to her appointments because she loves seeing her team—though, if she’s being honest, her favorite part is the chicken tenders in the cafeteria!
We are endlessly thankful for the way this hospital cares for every child. They don’t just provide medical treatment; they provide a sanctuary where children feel safe, and families feel heard and seen. God has truly blessed this place and the hands that work there.
World-Class Heart Care, Right Here at Home
The Heart Center at Manning Family Children’s provides comprehensive evaluations and treatment for patients with congenital cardiovascular disorders—from before birth through adulthood. As the only facility in Louisiana offering a full array of pediatric specialists to care for the “whole child” from heart to toe, their team is uniquely equipped to handle complex conditions that require integrated, multispecialty care.
Why Families Choose Manning Family Children’s:
- Pioneering Technology: They are the first in Louisiana to utilize Virtual Reality (VR) segmentation to plan pediatric heart surgeries, significantly reducing surgical times and improving patient outcomes.
- Minimally Invasive Innovations: They are the only hospital in the state to offer the Occlutech ASD Occluder, providing a safer, more precise solution for children with atrial septal defects. They are also the first program in Louisiana to offer full percutaneous Stage 1 palliation, a less invasive alternative to open-heart surgery for high-risk, fragile infants.
- Specialized Expertise: This spring, Dr. Michelle Skyes, MD, PhD, will launch the Gulf South’s first-ever Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Center, bringing life-changing specialty care closer to home.
- A Global Impact: The hospital recently celebrated their 100th HeartGift surgery. Through our partnership with HeartGift Louisiana, they provide lifesaving heart surgery to children from around the world, giving them the chance to grow up and thrive.
Whether your journey begins with a prenatal diagnosis or requires transition into adult congenital heart care, our dedicated team of surgeons, nurses, and support staff is here to support your family every step of the way.
