In the Presence of Superheroes: How One Heart Warrior Continues to Beat the Odds
A Journey Begins
When Amanda learned during her 13-week pregnancy scan that her baby had Down syndrome, her first thought was to hope that she wouldn’t have one of the CHDs commonly associated with the syndrome as well. But just six weeks later, she and husband Derrick learned she did when she was diagnosed with both AV Canal defect and later, Tetralogy of Fallot. Although concerned about the journey ahead, they immediately turned their attention to addressing Camdyn’s heart issues and getting her safely into the world to begin a long, healthy life.
“I’m a fixer,” she said. “I didn’t want her to have to go through this, but we just began to ask what this entails and focused on getting it done.”
Overcoming Challenges with Strength
Camdyn had open heart surgery at 6 months old to repair and address her CHDs. A heavy weight lifted when her parents first heard that Camdyn was off bypass and her heart was beating on its own. Amanda said she was amazed at the resilience of her little girl who had surgery on Monday, was sitting up in bed playing two days later, and at home with her family by Saturday.
“The team at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology took every opportunity to reassure us that she was going to be okay through this,” Amanda said. “During her surgery, I told my husband I feel like we’re in the presence of superheroes. Everyone was super calm and encouraging. Whenever Dr. Lindsey sees her now at her appointments, he says, ‘Look at you, beating the odds.’”
A Bright and Joyful Future
Camdyn has continued to beat the odds to this day by reaching certain milestones that kids with Down syndrome are often a little slower to reach, and Amanda says she’s the strongest girl ever and faces every challenge head-on. They call her their little “go-getter.”
Six-year-old Camdyn is in kindergarten this year, and she loves to play outside with her friends. She likes ballet, baby dolls, books and anything Mickey Mouse. Amanda said she keeps everyone laughing with her big personality and the funny things she says.
“Through her example, I’ve learned to really not sweat the small things,” Amanda said. “I used to be anxious about anything and everything, but life is short. She’s gone through more in her six years of life than I ever will, and she’s still smiling. It’s really helped me to watch her, and I can’t wait to see how she changes the world. Once you meet Camdyn and get to know her, she will change your mind about life.”
Camdyn sees pediatric cardiologist Dr. Wes Lindsey at our Gainesville clinic.
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