Heart Patient Grateful for Care

Lauren Mullaney, a happy, bright 16-year-old, felt exceptionally tired, bloated, fatigued and was experiencing rapid breathing.

"As a parent, you just know when something is wrong," said Leanne Mullaney, Lauren's mother.

Her intuitions proved to be true.

Tests from a doctor's appointment in mid-April this year confirmed she did not have mononucleosis; however, her liver was swollen, so her healthcare team scheduled an ultrasound more than 60 miles away at an urgent care facility in Billings, Mont.

The same day, a heavy cough developed which prompted Lauren and her mother to leave immediately for an ultrasound. As she was hooked up to a monitor, her pediatric cardiologist James Wiggins noted a 189 heart rate, and the x-ray showed significant enlargement of her heart. Lauren was experiencing heart failure.

She was immediately airlifted to The Children's Hospital - a flight Lauren doesn't remember much of because she was in immense pain.

In tears she said, "I had known I was sick for a while."

When she arrived at TCH, doctors stabilized her heart rate, which at times topped 200. Dr. Jonathan Kaufman, instructor in pediatrics, Division of Cardiology, and the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) team greeted them.

"Everything was set up from the machines to the IVs. They were extremely efficient and everything was ready for Lauren," said Leanne. "It was amazing."

Lauren's condition, known as idiopathic cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle with no known cause, is frequently treated with a heart transplant. But in Lauren's case, TCH caregivers did all they could to avoid this approach.

A team of 15 caregivers from The Children's Hospital Heart Institute made the decision to place a Left Ventricle Assist Device (VAD) in her heart that serves as an artificial left ventricle. It is attached to a portable machine that pumps the artificial left ventricle for her.

"This device allowed Lauren's heart to rest and recover," said Leanne. "They invested all they could to care for her, and they saved her heart."

It is the first time a VAD has been emplaced in a patient at TCH, according to Chris Peyton, clinical nurse specialist for the TCH Heart Institute.
"This device has been a life-saving measure for her and she would most likely not be alive without this device in her," explained Chris Peyton. "They are an extraordinary family that has trusted Lauren's care to us, and they have been a joy to take care of." 

Typically VAD patients are "on" the device for four to six weeks, but Lauren's case was different. She had to stay on it for a longer period of time to give her heart every chance to recover.

Lauren and her mom have lived in Colorado for the four-month duration of Lauren's treatment. They reside in the Ronald McDonald House at 1300 East 21st Ave. in Denver.

"We could not have done all of this, or lived through the first two months without the Ronald McDonald House," said Leanne. "They provided everything without asking. It's a family atmosphere over there. You look around and see others going through difficult times; you know that you are not the only family going through this."

The nurses regularly visited Ronald McDonald House to meet with Lauren for check-ups. Even staff from the Oxford Hotel and Spa came by the house to do patients' hair.

"She hadn't been able to wash her hair for a few days, so that was special and relaxing for her," Leanne said.

"It was like heaven to come to Ronald McDonald House. You don't have to worry about making meals or doing laundry," she continued. "We have become a better family because of the house."

The Ronald McDonald House, which provides a home away from home for families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals, has been helping families for more than 27 years in the Denver community. And, they will continue to provide services with a second Ronald McDonald House in Aurora, "Giving Hope a Second Home" for many more patients and families.

The Aurora Ronald McDonald House broke ground Oct. 19 last year. Located at 932 Potomac Circle in Aurora, the new house is approximately one mile south of The new Children's Hospital. It's is expected to be operational by September 2007.

The new house will have rooms for 45 families - 14 more rooms than its current home - large kitchens, family rooms, televisions lounges, laundry rooms, computer rooms, playrooms, outside patio areas and much more.

Lauren and her mom will be staying at Ronald McDonald at least until July 19, after undergoing major cardiothoracic surgery to remove her VAD in early June.

With Lauren on the road to recovery, the Mullaney family will be happy to go home to Montana, but they will always remember the care they received at The Children's Hospital.

"We plan on doing all we can to help TCH and to help others like those at the Ronald McDonald House," said Leanne. "Throughout this, we have learned to take life one day at a time. If you have a bad day, you say, 'okay, at least it's over.' If you have a good day, you think, 'I am glad I had this kind of day,' and hope tomorrow's the same."