"CLICK HERE" for Lauren's update

Welcome To Lauren's Web Site!

My name is Lauren Marie Allen.
I was born Feb 22, 1995 with some heart defects.
The main defect is called
(TGA)Transposition of the Greater Arteries.

I also have 2 other heart defects:
VSD, Ventricular Septal Defect, and ASD, Atrial Septal Defect.

Disclaimer! - I am not a Doctor.
The information is not to be used as medical diagnosis or to replace a Doctors consultation. The content provided here is meant for general educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for consultation with your physician or other healthcare professional. The materials presented are not intended as medical advice.

On July 22, 1997, I had Open Heart Surgery
to correct all of my heart defects.

Dr Geddes cardiac surgeon, Denver, Colorado
Dr Geddes was my cardiac surgeon.
On July 22, 1997, Dr. Geddes, my heart surgeon, quoted "This is the "World's most difficult heart surgery, ever".

Up until today, July 25th,1997 we just never knew how we could envision, the seriousness of this type of surgery. We hear of open heart surgeries on a daily basis done in America, today. So it seems as though this is just another. The ECMO (Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) heart/lung machine has been used in Denver, to assist with recovery 10 times in the last 3 years. Lauren is one of them. She is also "blazing new trails", by using a new "drug" to assist her lungs and her blood circulation with NITRIC OXIDE.

The surgery that is used to repair my heart defect(s) is called the "Nikaidoh Procedure". Dr. Nikaidoh is a well known heart surgeon. He is the designer of this procedure. The exact terminology of this procedure is: Aortic translocation with bi-ventricular outflow tract reconstruction and the ventricular septal defect "patch".

Jim Beavers is my CCP, Certified Clinical Cardiopulmonary Perfusionist, Denver, Colorado Jim Beavers was my CCP, Certified Clinical Cardiopulmonary Perfusionist. He kept me alive with the ECMO machine. This particular heart surgery "combination" is done on only ONE baby a year, in America. (That is how rare it is) This was Lauren's year.

The ECMO heart/lung machine has been used in Denver, to assist with recovery 10 times in the last 3 years. Lauren is one of them. She is also "blazing new trails", by using a new "drug" to assist her lungs and her blood circulation with NITRIC OXIDE.

Dr Miller Pediatric cardiac surgeon, Denver, Colorado Dr Miller is my pediatric cardiologist.
We visited with him often after the surgery while recovering. Now we visit Dr. Miller once a year.
They are the best team!


This web site was Lauren's lifeline communication - keeping family and friends updated of my surgical procedures, as well as information about my recovery. This page will keep you updated of my surgical procedures, as well as information about my recovery.


Please BOOKMARK for future entries.
Thank you for visiting! See ya soon!




"Click here" for UPDATES....


Thank you again for your continued prayers and warm thoughts and loving support. We are all so thankful. Without your support..... we know that she would not be here with us, now.

Thank you.

Definition - Transposition of the Greater Arteries:
Congenital heart defect in which the position of the two major vessels that carry blood away from the heart, the aorta and the pulmonary artery,is transposed.

Many people ask "What causes this defect?"
The cause of most congenital heart defects is unknown.
Transposition of the greater arteries is classified as a cyanotic heart defect because the condition results in insufficiently oxygenated blood pumped to the body which leads to cyanosis (a bluish-purplecoloration to the skin) and shortness of breath.

In transposition of the greater arteries, there is no communication between the pulmonary circulation and the systemic circulation. There is usually an associated defect that permits the mixing of the systemic and pulmonary circulation to provide some oxygenated blood to the body. Without such a defect, the condition is fatal. Symptoms appear at birth or very soon afterwards.

The severity of the symptoms depends upon the type of associated defect and the resulting amount of oxygenated blood supplied to the general circulation. The condition affects approximately 40 out of 100,000 infants.

Me & Daddy Day after my 1st surgery Day after my surgery 7/23/97 ECMO Machine 7/24 -7/30/97
Me and Daddy - Surgery 2/24/95 - Nakaidoh 7/24/97 - ECMO 7/24 -7/30/97

Lauren
I'm Two!! - This is my family. - Giddy-up! - Daddy-n-me


Send me some e-mail!


Here are some links that are related to this subject and better explains some of the terminology of cardiac heart diseases.

Lauren, the little angelRead my "bio" here


Medtronics Pacemakers

Congenital Heart Defect Support Group

Congenital Heart Information Network

The American Heart Association

Congenital Heart Disease Information


Lauren's Favorite Things:
Cats, Kittens, Tigers, Playing with friends

Updated: February 2005:
Lauren in her fairy costume - Fall 1999





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