Lillian’s Story: Thriving After Heart Surgery for a Large Atrial Septal Defect

When Kim and Bobby welcomed their third daughter, Lillian, they already knew she might share the same congenital heart condition that runs in their family. Their middle daughter, Emersyn, was born small and faced early developmental delays. Because of her medical challenges and a known family history of heart murmurs on Bobby’s side, the couple’s pediatrician recommended heart screenings for all three of their children. 

“On my husband’s side, there’s a significant family history of heart conditions,” Kim said. “When our middle daughter was born so small, it prompted us to take a closer look at all our kids’ hearts. It’s something we’ve kept an eye on ever since.” 

At just four and a half years old, their oldest, Aurora, was diagnosed with a murmur that required routine monitoring. Emersyn’s tests came back clear. Then came Lillian, who was found to have a heart murmur shortly after birth.  

They started seeing a local pediatric cardiologist in Lake Charles, when Lilly was just a few months old. At first, no heart murmur was detected. By three months, an ultrasound was ordered as a precaution because of their family history.

The diagnosis revealed a large secundum atrial septal defect (ASD), a congenital heart defect caused by an opening between the heart’s two upper chambers. “It’s a flap that’s supposed to close after birth,” Kim explained. “She did grow one, but it was weak and had holes.” 

Over the next three years, her cardiologist carefully monitored the defect to see if it would close on its own. “When it became clear that it wasn’t going to resolve on its own, we knew it was time to take the next step,” Kim said. 

The next step was surgical repair. 

“We always planned to watch it closely and intervene at the right time,” Kim said. “So when he told us in July that it was time, I felt prepared.” 

When that moment came, the family knew exactly where to turn: the Heart Center at Manning Family Children’s in New Orleans. 

“Aurora had a procedure at Manning Family Children’s when she was five,” Kim said. “They have a multidisciplinary team of nine doctors who meet every Thursday, and Lillian’s pediatric cardiologist in Lake Charles shared her imaging with them. Once the team reached a consensus, everything moved quickly.” 

Preparing for Heart Surgery 

The family traveled from Lake Charles to New Orleans during the first week of September. On September 2, Lillian completed a full day of pre-operative appointments, and early the next morning she was ready for heart surgery with the hospital’s experienced cardiothoracic team. 

Surgeons repaired Lillian’s atrial septal defect by closing the opening between the upper chambers of her heart, restoring normal blood flow and relieving strain on her heart. 

“Before her surgery, everyone was incredible — blowing bubbles with Lillian, putting stickers on her mask, and making sure she wasn’t afraid,” Kim said. “They answered all our questions, but no amount of research truly prepares you for that moment.” 

The surgery lasted about an hour and a half. “There was a lot of anxiety and a lot of praying that day,” Kim said. “At the same time, I felt some relief knowing this wasn’t an emergency surgery. We were in excellent hands.” 

When Kim finally saw her daughter after surgery, the emotions came rushing in. “Seeing your child on a hospital bed, sedated and surrounded by tubes, was overwhelming,” she said softly. “That’s when I lost it but it didn’t stay that way for long.” 

A Remarkable Recovery 

Lillian recovered in just two days in the hospital, remaining sedated the first day and night; by the next morning, she was alert, eating, drinking, and walking the halls. 

“The rate at which she recovered was unreal,” Kim said. “She was trying to jump and skip down the hallway three days later. She was only on morphine for two days. I still don’t understand how she bounced back so quickly.” 

The hardest part of recovery, Kim said, was the constipation that followed surgery. “She was in so much pain and didn’t want to try to go,” she recalled. “Once we got enough laxatives in her to help, she finally went to the bathroom, and after that, it was like a switch flipped. She was laughing and smiling like usual.” 

The family was discharged on Sunday, and when they arrived home, Lillian celebrated with a dance party alongside her sisters. 

Support Along the Way 

Throughout their stay, Kim said the care and kindness of the Manning Family Children’s team stood out.  

“We had one very consistent nurse who was so attentive and kind. I thought she had at least 10 years of experience, but she was brand new. Every member of the team went the extra mile to make the kids feel safe during a scary situation.” 

The family also received help from hospital resources that made a big difference.  

“We received one of the heart grants, which helped cover travel expenses and meals,” Kim said. “That support was a huge blessing. The social worker helped guide us through the process, and without that advocacy, we wouldn’t have known what resources were available.” 

Today, 4-year-old Lillian is thriving. “It’s like she has a whole new heart,” Kim said.  

She is back to dancing, laughing, and keeping her family on her toes. Her doctors expect she won’t need any future surgeries or face limits on the activities she loves. 

Families referred for pediatric cardiology care can learn more about heart services at Manning Family Children’s by visiting www.manningchildrens.org/services/heart-center. The pediatric heart team delivers comprehensive, specialized cardiac care for children of all ages, supported by resources that guide families throughout treatment and recovery. 

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About Manning Family Children’s: Manning Family Children’s is a 263-bed, non-profit academic pediatric medical center that offers comprehensive healthcare services, including over 40 pediatric specialties, just for children. With more than 600 pediatric providers, Manning Family Children’s offers a comprehensive array of specialized pediatric services in Louisiana and the Gulf South. In addition to its main campus located in New Orleans, Children’s operates a network of specialty clinics across Louisiana, including in Covington, Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Lafayette, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Children’s offers primary care at 17 convenient locations, along with a network of statewide pediatric affiliations. Children’s is a proud member of LCMC Health, a Louisiana-based, not-for-profit hospital system which also includes New Orleans East Hospital, Touro, University Medical Center New Orleans, West Jefferson Medical Center, East Jefferson General Hospital, Lakeview Hospital, and Lakeside Hospital. Learn more at manningchildrens.org.