Meet Liam

During our 18-week anatomy scan, we were so excited to learn our baby’s gender, but we received unexpected news instead—our son was diagnosed with d-TGA, a congenital heart defect where the two main arteries are reversed, preventing proper oxygen circulation. Those moments were filled with uncertainty, but it marked the beginning of a journey that showed us our little heart warrior’s resilience, and the incredible care available at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

We were referred to The Fetal Center, where Liam’s diagnosis was confirmed. From then on, his heart was closely monitored through fetal echocardiograms. Working alongside Riverside’s Maternal Fetal Medicine team, The Fetal Center and The Heart Center helped us prepare for what lay ahead post-delivery. Despite all the unknowns, we felt peace knowing Liam was in the best hands. 

Immediately after birth, Liam was transferred to the cardiothoracic intensive care unit (CTICU) at children’s, where he underwent a balloon septostomy at 12 hours old to help stabilize his oxygen levels. At 8 days old, he had the arterial switch operation to correct the defect. Dr. Mark Galantowicz performed the surgery with his incredible skill, giving us peace of mind every step of the way through his clear communication and calming demeanor.

One week later, Liam “crossed over the squirrel,” a sweet tradition marking his move from the CTICU to the step-down unit. There, he worked on feeding and growing stronger. Before going home, we learned his left vocal cord was paralyzed, causing silent aspiration of thin liquids. With the team’s support, we took him home with an NG feeding tube after a three-week stay. Over time, his vocal cord gained strength, and he now takes all feeds orally. 

Liam is now 7-months old and thriving! He’s met every developmental milestone and continues to be monitored by speech therapy, ENT and cardiology. His heart looks great, and we’ll continue annual follow-ups at The Heart Center.

Looking back, the initial diagnosis was overwhelming, but we truly couldn’t imagine this journey anywhere else. Every person on Liam’s care team was remarkable. Their expertise, compassion and support carried us through the hardest days. We feel incredibly blessed to have access to such a world-class team of pediatric specialists right here at Nationwide Children’s. They didn’t just care for Liam—they cared for our whole family as we stepped into parenthood.