Brittany back home with new heart
Last Updated on Thursday, 26 January 2012 17:13 Monday, 30 January 2012 00:00
by Lyonel Doherty
By the rate Brittany Michaud is going, she’ll be shovelling everyone’s walk with that new heart of hers.
The 13-year-old Oliver girl underwent a seven-hour heart transplant on December 1, and just last week she was clearing snow from her walkway.
“She has a lot of energy, more than she ever had before,” said her mother Shawna Michaud. “We allowed her to go for a walk to Eastside Grocery, her favourite store. She seems a lot happier (who wouldn’t after being in ICU for six months with no windows).”
The straight-A student can’t wait to go back to school by the end of the month. She’s entering Grade 8 at SOSS, where all her friends are awaiting her return.
It wasn’t long ago that Brittany suffered heart failure and needed a left ventricular assist device while waiting for a transplant. Fortunately, a young man’s heart became available and Brittany was ushered into surgery.
“We were more nervous than she was,” admitted Shawna, whose nerves were wracked, along with her husband, Bernie
Brittany’s “last meal” before the operation consisted of chips and pop, which she could not be denied.
The operation was considered a success since her new heart “fit perfectly,” Shawna said. The only problem the surgeon had was taking out her enlarged heart, which Shawna and Bernie were able to see.
“It was a very sad day for us as parents (seeing your child’s heart removed from her body),” Shawna said.
She and Bernie signed a document giving the hospital permission to keep Brittany’s heart for research purposes, in hopes that research will help other heart failure patients in the future.
According to Shawna, doctors have never seen anything like Brittany’s heart. “They will keep track of Brittany for the rest of her life.”
Brittany is on various medications to prevent her body from rejecting her new heart. She takes 14 pills in the morning and 12 pills at night.
Shawna said she is so relieved that the government is paying for two of the most expensive medications. A three-month supply of one drug costs more than $2,000, while another costs $1,650.
“It’s a blessing to live her in Canada,” Shawna sighed.
Brittany has to return to hospital every two weeks for a checkup. During her time at home, mom and dad have to ensure she doesn’t come into contact with any viruses. That means her visit with friends must be pre-screened.
During one recent visit, Shawna was texting Brittany every five minutes to find out how she was doing.
“It all comes down to hand washing, the doctor said.”
Brittany is so glad to be home that she requested a makeover of her room, choosing the colours yellow and red. Shawna joked by saying her daughter needed an eye exam to make sure she wasn’t colour blind.
Those wanting to keep in touch with Brittany can do so on Facebook via the Brittany Michaud support group.
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