Saving Josiah
It's Been an Arduous Journey to Protect My Baby's Heart

By Betsy Taylor

Josiah Taylor

Two years ago, I strolled into my ultrasound to determine my baby's gender. What began as a beautiful October day soon took a drastic turn.

The sonographer told me that my baby boy's heart wasn't developing properly. She referred me to Wali Gauvin, MD, a cardiologist who practices at Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children.
I soon learned my boy had Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a condition where parts of the left side of the heart do not develop completely. The doctor told me that my baby would have to undergo several surgeries to correct the problem. I was in shock and will never forget that day when I learned what was ahead for me, my baby and my four children at home.

On March 5, 2010, after months of intermittent fear and worry, I gave birth to Josiah. I chose this name because it means "The Lord Saves," and I truly believe his strength was behind delivering my child.

Four days later, he had his first surgery, the Norwood procedure, a high-risk operation. Heart surgeons Irving Shen, MD, and Lucas Collazo, MD, performed the five-hour operation. After three weeks recovery in the hospital, my little Josiah came home. During his hospital stay, the nurses called him a "superstar patient" because he progressed so well with his feeding regimen, had no complications and was a very strong boy.

The journey, however, wasn't over. In November 2010, when Josiah was seven months old, he had a diagnostic cath with
Hasan Abdallah, MD, a cardiologist. The doctors discovered his heart was worsening as he grew bigger, so they scheduled the Glenn operation immediately. Not to my surprise, Josiah persevered and had a great outcome from the surgery, only staying in the hospital five days to recover.

Josiah is now a thriving 1-year-old. He is always smiling and giggling to get my attention. Every night when he goes to bed, I lie with him and he plays with my hair — sometimes even pulling it tight, which reminds me of his strength. I am so proud of him. Each day he brings the most joy into my life. When Josiah turns two and a half, he will need to have his third and hopefully final heart surgery. I have faith he will do well and make me proud, like he does every day.

Betsy Taylor lives in Luray, Va. She is the mother of Josiah, 1, along with Joshua, 11; Isaiah, 9; Noah, 8; and Hannah, 5. Taylor
also takes care of her niece, Tristan, 8.