#BPOSITIVE

Heart Hero of the Month

October 2024

Written by Mom, Jennifer

Celebrating Our Heart Warrior: Henry Donald Wilkerson

Born on February 2, 2021, Henry came into the world a little later than expected, and we like to think he chose Heart Month for a reason. We had no idea he was born with a heart condition until 24 hours post-birth, when we learned he had a loud heart murmur, similar to his older brother Davis, who turned out to be just fine.

That day changed our lives forever. After a series of tests, we were devastated to hear that Henry would need to be transported downtown De Moines for further evaluation due to fluctuating oxygen levels and a failed cardiac screening. We begged to be discharged and followed the ambulance, arriving at the NICU to find our tiny boy surrounded by a team of specialists.

Dr. Shivapour’s words still resonate with us: “Be right back, I’m going to grab a picture of a heart!” She so kindly & patiently delivered the news that Henry was born with Tetralogy of Fallot, a condition involving four heart defects. Amid the chaos of 2021 and the isolation of COVID, we were in complete shock.

That evening, we asked a nurse about Henry’s blood type, and with bright enthusiasm, she told us, “B POSITIVE!” This became our guiding motto throughout Henry’s journey.

We stayed positive through the ups and downs—through his cath procedure at 6 weeks, the challenges of recovery from reperfusion injury in his lungs from ballooning open his pulmonary valve, and his open-heart surgery at just four months old. Today, at the age of 3.5 Henry is a happy, rambunctious, observant, and curious little boy who lights up our lives and embodies his motto. Henry lives life to the fullest and awaits his next procedure of pulmonary valve replacement – which we anticipate to be needed in his teenage years. 

We recognize how fortunate we are, even when the journey has been tough. It’s not always easy to stay positive, but we’ve learned to find the silver linings. We challenge you all to seek out your own positives and lean on those who can help you through difficult times.

Here’s to all the heart heroes, heart angels, and the incredible families and friends who support Heart families. Your journeys are seen and valued.