Baby Lainey was born six weeks early in August 2025. In November, she was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, ✨coarctation of the aorta✨. The aorta is narrowed, so the left ventricle has to work harder to pump blood to the body. Blood can backup into the left side of the heart, limiting the blood pumped to the body. This required surgical repair.

Despite surgery, her heart continued to weaken, and she was diagnosed with ✨dilated cardiomyopathy✨ and heart failure. Her left ventricle struggles to pump blood to the body. The left atrium and left ventricle become enlarged. Blood can backup into the lungs, making it difficult to breathe.

She now relies on a ✨Berlin Heart✨ (LVAD) that is giving the left ventricle time to rest and heal. ❤️‍🩹 Blood is drained from the left ventricle and pumped into the aorta to go to the body.

Lainey was placed on the pediatric heart transplant list on January 16, 2026, where she continues to wait for her hero heart. ❤️