"Like so many kids before and since Morgan, a brilliant team of cardiologists at Cincinnati Children's saved her life many times.  

More than 21 years ago, at the age of 3 months, Morgan was admitted to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU). We were told that she had dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and tachycardia (fast heart rhythm). That night, she coded, and it took her care team seven minutes to revive her; she was then put into a medically induced coma.  

For three excruciating weeks, we were not allowed to move or hold her. They listed Morgan for a transplant, and we met with the transplant team. We were told that, since her heart was three times the size it should be, she would be eligible for an adult heart. Unfortunately, many things continued to go wrong.    

Getting blood from Morgan was nearly impossible. So many tried and failed. Back then, the Vascular Access Team was not available. But we finally found one man, Herb, who could get blood drawn from her.  He was our hero. Although he was promoted many years ago, he still holds the record for the most successful blood draws from Morgan. He has watched Morgan grow, and we still talk to him every time we are at the lab. You see, angels come in all forms.  And the best lab employee, who will always remain in our hearts, is no exception.  

Test after test couldn't explain what was happening with Morgan’s heart. No family history, no infection, no genetic anomalies, no explanation. Russel Hirsch, MD, did a heart biopsy, but that did not reveal a cause either. Feeling nothing but despair, we were scared beyond words because we were thrown into a world that we knew nothing about.

We were helpless to even know what questions to ask. Yet, before us stood Dr. Hirsch, talking to us like he knew exactly how we were feeling. His calm voice, his caring touch, and his reassurance that while she was in his care he would do his best, left us feeling a sense of peace. His impeccable bedside manner is rare and made us feel like we could breathe again. 

After Morgan’s heart biopsy, we asked Dr. Hirsch if he would take the lead in her care, and he graciously agreed. 

The next day, we clearly remember. Another wonderful doctor explained to us that if he didn't see any signs of improvement within 10 minutes, he was going to put Morgan on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO). Yet another foreign concept to us. 

We prayed that he didn't have to take this step, and, to our surprise, Morgan improved ever so slightly. This marked the beginning of her silent fight. She was determined to show the doctors that she was going to defy the odds. And she did, repeatedly.  

No ECMO. No heart transplant. Morgan was improving day by day. She was learning to eat again and learning to talk despite her aphasia and apraxia.  

She was learning how to learn despite her severe developmental delay. Despite her Spastic Quadriplegia, she was learning to move.  

And what has been essential throughout the years—Morgan learning how to have a sense of humor! 

Recognizing Key Members of Morgan’s Care Team 

Angela Lorts, MD, is also part of the team of cardiologists who have fought relentlessly to keep Morgan progressing. We have come full circle with someone who has known and cared for Morgan since she was 3 months old! We are thankful that Dr. Lorts remains dedicated to caring for Morgan as if she were her own daughter. It's not often you come across doctors who care so deeply, and we have certainly been blessed with the staff and the doctors at Cincinnati Children's.  

Peter F. Sturm, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon, is another doctor who went above and beyond for Morgan. He took on Morgan's scoliosis surgery when no one else wanted to take that chance due to her heart problems. Morgan’s heart and lungs were not being protected because of her severe scoliosis, but Dr. Sturm fixed her! He will always be a rock star in our eyes!

We certainly can't leave out all the amazing, loving and dedicated nurses who cared for Morgan every step of the way. Nurses are the warriors behind the scenes every minute of every day—keeping a watchful eye, intervening and providing superb and loving care.  

Morgan has been hospitalized many times since she was born and the nurses in Cardiology, as well as Neurology, Pulmonary Medicine, Sleep Center, Orthopaedics, and ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) have always gone above and beyond in their care of our daughter. 

Morgan’s Journey Continues

Seeing her open her big, brown, beautiful eyes when she was allowed to come out of the medically induced coma more than 20 years ago made our hearts swell with such love and gratitude. Slowly, she was weaned from the respirator. Weeks later, we were finally allowed to hold her for the first time since she was admitted. 

Months later, we left the hospital unaware of any of the future challenges that lay ahead for Morgan. There have been so many medical challenges for Morgan that exploring ways to help her became a full-time job. Cincinnati Children's has become a second home to us. Over the years, Morgan has benefited from so many doctors across so many specialty areas. Therapy also became a mainstay, including physical / occupational and speech language pathology. To have all this expertise so close to home is easy to take for granted.

Numerous times, we have raised money for Cincinnati Children's through various charity events. In this small way, we try to show our gratitude for the cardiologists who saved our daughter's life. 

Dr. Hirsch remained Morgan’s cardiologist for many years. He was always willing to listen and allow us to include some non-traditional therapies in her care. When we transitioned to another doctor, Dr. Hirsch still checked in on Morgan. To this day, whenever Dr. Hirsch sees us, he takes time out of his busy schedule to say hello, give us a hug and ask us how we are doing. Cincinnati Children's Cardiology is blessed to have him on their team. 

We also cannot forget all the doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses and social workers in the Complex Care Center who made an enormous difference in providing and coordinating care for Morgan. Michelle L. French, MD, provided humor that was needed on more than one occasion. Her intervention made more of an impact than she will ever know, and we can't thank her enough. Kristen Jackson, APRN, gets the hard job of providing and coordinating all her current care; we are so grateful for her. Ashley Santana, MSW, is excellent at her job as social work care manager for the Complex Care Center, and always steps in to help when we need it most. 

Through all the challenges, Morgan keeps a smile on her face. She teaches us every day to appreciate the little things in life—to not take for granted being able to eat, talk and walk. She has taught us more in her 21 years on this earth than we could have learned from any other source. Morgan is bright, funny, courageous, strong-willed, and excited by everything she learns. She represents hope and is proof that miracles do happen!"