Richmond's Miracle Child Story:

Bella 

Bella Haines was only two days old when physicians at Children's Hospital of Richmond discovered that she had a ventricular septal defect (VSD)—a hole in her heart allowing blood to mix between the left and right ventricles.

At eleven weeks old and weighing only 11 pounds and 3 ounces, Bella went into the five hour cardiac surgery to repair the defect and spent the next five days in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, with her parents Nikki and Eddie by her side.

Nikki remembers seeing a completely different side of her daughter when she was discharged from the hospital one week after the surgery. Bella had more energy, started steadily gaining weight, and became a happy and healthy baby.

"It's amazing to look at her now," Nikki says. "She is as happy as can be."

Dominic, Age 7

Dominic was born prematurely on August 7, 2003, weighing only 3lbs 6ozs.  His lungs had not fully developed causing him to remain in the hospital NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) for an additional four weeks before he was discharged and sent home.

During Dominic's early check-ups doctors discovered that his bilirubin levels were consistently high and he was becoming Jaundice; a yellowing of the skin. After many tests and a liver biopsy at six months of age, doctors learned that Dominic's liver had begun to harden (similar to cirrhosis) and was suffering from a condition called Biliary Atresia. This is a rare condition in newborns where the common bile duct between the liver and small intestine is blocked or absent. In Dominic's case, the bile duct was absent, and he would need a liver transplant.

He was placed on the waiting list for a new liver and after three months the call came. Dominic would receive a new liver. At nine months old, Dominic underwent thirteen hours of surgery to save his life. After surgery he was admitted into the Food Lion Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Children's Hospital of Richmond and it wasn't until later that night that Dominic's family was able to see their baby boy. Dominic's mother describes the moment of seeing her child for the first time 'full of life' with his true skin color and clear eyes. From that moment on they were sure that he was going to be okay.

Dominic is now seven years old and continues to receive lab work and check-ups in addition to the five medications he will take daily for the rest of his life. Despite his medical routine Dominic is an outgoing and mischievous little man who loves to read, play video games and swim.

To learn more about CMNH in Richmond, please visit www.chfrichmond.org.