Toddler Reunited with Medical Device that Saved Her Life
Published: March 21, 2006
“It’s a miracle,” said Pat Lopez, the mother of 17-month-old Tiana Lopez. “It’s a miracle to see this happen, especially to our daughter.”
It’s been three weeks since an artificial heart pump-assist device, called the Berlin Heart, was removed from Tiana. The toddler’s own heart is holding up well, as the child continues to recover.
Monday afternoon, Tiana and her parents returned to the hospital for a check-up. Doctors also presented her with a gift — a shadow-box containing the Berlin Heart that helped save her life, surrounded by photos of the little girl.
“I’m sure she remembers what it is,” Pat said, as Tiana reached out to touch the gift, proclaiming, “Mine.”
Pat said the gift is a reminder of how far Tiana has come. “We wouldn’t have her here with us if it wasn’t for the Berlin.”
“She’s a pioneer,” said Dr. Jack Copeland, with the UMC Sarver Heart Center. “This little kid is a pioneer, she’s breaking new ground in heart disease for children.”
Doctors’ say Tiana’s recovery gives new hope to other small kids attached to the Berlin Heart, including an 8-month-old girl at UMC. She has been on the device for two weeks, and has shown enough recovery in her own heart to have the device removed.
“We’re glad that Tiana is an example for other kids and parents,” said Ryan Lopez, Tiana’s father. Mindful of the medical device that saved their daughter’s life, the Lopezes plan to hold tight to the Berlin Heart gift, as a sort of souvenir of Tiana’s survival.
“We’ve been keeping everything for her,” Pat said. “So she knows what she, what we all had to go through, what she’s accomplished in her life.”
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