MARCH 2021 HEART HERO OF THE MONTH
Story by Chuck, Amanda, Landon and Bryson

Bryson Slate was born on July 21^st, 2018.  He was born at 39 weeks, after a seamless pregnancy.  Shortly after birth, Bryson required further evaluation after doctors discovered a heart murmur, among a few other things. 

Scans revealed severe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and pulmonary valve stenosis. Bryson ended up being transferred to a more specialized hospital for further observation and testing. Genetic testing revealed that Bryson has a rare genetic disorder called Noonan’s Syndrome with multiple lentigines, which caused his CHD. 

At about a month old, the doctors determined that a heart transplant was necessary. Next came the agonizing waiting game.  He was then put on the waiting list for a heart, and had cardiology check-ups every two weeks to monitor his condition.  On November 1^st, 2018 the doctors noticed a decline in his heart function, so they decided to admit him until a heart was received. 

November 24^th, 2018 we got the call that we had been waiting for, the doctors had accepted a heart! November 25^th, 2018 was the big day, heart transplant day.  It was a day filled with a whirlwind of emotions.  Although the surgery didn’t come without complications, he persevered through it all. After a long four weeks, on December 26^th, 2018 doctors determined that Bryson was well enough to finally be discharged. 

Bryson is now thriving and loving all life has to give.  He is a fun-loving, friendly, smart, strong, humorous, feisty, on-the-go, toddler who loves his family, his friends, his pets, the outdoors, anything car, and wrestling with his 9-year-old brother, Landon. 

He fills our lives with so much love, laughter, and joy! 

We are eternally grateful for the selfless donor family, his donor angel, family, friends, all of his other supporters, and the phenomenal medical team that saved his life.