After Greer’s Heart Surgery… A slideshow for parents and families With our thanks to Greer and her family To view slideshow, use mouse to click through slides

Greer is a 5 year old girl who was found to have a hole between the two upper chambers of her heart (atrial septal defect or ASD) on a cardiac ultrasound (echocardiogram). She saw specialists at several children’s hospitals, and chose to have her operation and subsequent care at the Komansky Center. The team taking care of Greer included her cardiologists, cardiac surgeon, nurse practitioner, anesthesiologist, perfusionists, ICU nurses, ICU physicians, physical therapists, and child life specialists… a big team for one girl! This is Greer’s story…

Day 1: Post-Surgery in the Pediatic Intensive Care Unit (PICU) Greer’s operation started early in the morning, and lasted about three hours. It was uneventful, and the hole in her heart (ASD) was closed. She had her breathing tube removed in the operating room, and arrived in the PICU comfortable, and maybe even a bit sleepy. Three hours after the operation, her grandfather was able to visit her. Greer slept most of the day, with her bear by her side, and was kept comfortable with pain medication. The PICU hallways are decorated with colorful murals about the life and history of New York City’s famous East River.

On the morning after surgery, Greer was already able to sit in a chair. She was still very sleepy (exhausted!) from the operation but was much more alert as the day progressed. When she was awake, she did breathing exercises to expand her lungs and she even walked on her own! Day 2: Day After Surgery

Day 3: Recuperating in the Hospital She still needed a monitor on her finger to watch her oxygen levels, but apart from that was free to goof around. By the next day, Greer was back to her active self. During her recovery, intravenous tubing on her arms gave medication and fluid to Greer. Now, most of her monitors and tubes have been removed, and here she is relaxing in bed. No more intravenous pain medication needed!

By the next day, Greer was MUCH better. She enjoyed a visit from her little brother and walking up and down the hallway. Here she is, feeling well, eating ice cream and clowning around. She spent most of the day out of bed. Day 4: Last Day in the Hospital The Child Life specialists provided arts and crafts material to help pass the time. By this time, it was much easier to get in and out of bed and walking was effortless. In fact, it was difficult to keep her in bed!

Here is Greer in the car, ready to go home! She took Tylenol at home only for the first day and a half, one nap a day for days 6 and 7. By day 8 she was 100% Greer again! Day 5: Leaving the Hospital!

Two months after her surgery, Greer performed in her ballet class recital! 2 Months After Surgery!