07/28/2026
"I will never forget the moment I heard the words, 'Your baby has a congenital heart defect.' It was impossible to fully comprehend what was being said. Like so many parents who receive that news, we were scared, overwhelmed, and desperate for reassurance that our child would be okay. In an instant, we were trying to understand a diagnosis we had never anticipated and what it would mean for our sonās future.
We soon learned that Palmer had Tetralogy of Fallot with Double Outlet Right Ventricle, a complex congenital heart defect that would require open-heart surgery. Once the initial shock began to settle, our focus shifted to learning everything we could, asking questions, and placing our trust in the medical team guiding us forward.
Palmer was born prematurely at 35 weeks and spent his first days in the NICU. Seeing such a tiny baby surrounded by monitors, wires, and constant medical attention was overwhelming. Yet even during those difficult early days, we were consistently reminded that he was strong, that his condition was treatable, and that there was a clear plan in place. That plan became something we could hold onto when everything else felt uncertain.
During that season of fear and unknowns, we found an unexpected source of hope while watching Shaun White compete in the 2018 Winter Olympics. Learning that he had been born with the same heart condition and then seeing him perform and win on one of the world's biggest stages was incredibly reassuring. I remember thinking that if someone with the same diagnosis could thrive at that level, then our child could too.
Later, we watched an interview Shaun White gave on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where he shared how his parents never allowed his heart condition to define him or limit what he could do. They did not place him in a bubble or let fear dictate his future. That perspective stayed with us and ultimately shaped how my husband, Jeremy, and I chose to parent Palmer.
The day Palmer underwent open-heart surgery was one of the hardest days of our lives. We placed complete trust in his surgeon, Dr. Morales, and the entire cardiac team caring for him. The hours spent waiting for updates felt endless, and when we finally heard the words that the surgery had been successful, it brought a level of relief and gratitude we will never forget.
Throughout every step of Palmerās journey, Cincinnati Childrenās has been extraordinary. Their cardiology team provided not only exceptional medical care, but also reassurance, compassion, and confidence. They cared for our family as a whole, helping us move forward with hope instead of fear.
Today, Palmer continues to receive annual cardiology care at Cincinnati Childrenās. We know that as he grows, he will eventually need a pulmonary valve replacement. Yet because of the remarkable advances in congenital heart care and the incredible team overseeing his health, we face the future with confidence and gratitude rather than uncertainty.
Now eight years old, Palmer is thriving. This summer, he was selected to play on an All-Star baseball team and currently plays club soccer for Fall City in Louisville, Kentucky. Lately, he has become especially focused on kicking field goals. Almost every day, you can find him in our backyard lining up kick after kick, simply because he loves it and believes he can do it. Right now, he says he wants to be an NFL kicker, and we encourage him to dream big.
Palmerās heart condition is part of his story, but it does not define him. Because of the care he has received at Cincinnati Childrenās, and because of the example set by others who have walked a similar path before him, he is growing up with the confidence to pursue his goals without limits. He knows that his heart has made him strong, not fragile.
We will always be grateful for the role Cincinnati Childrenās has played in Palmerās life. Their expertise, compassion, and unwavering support have given us the confidence to raise him with hope, resilience, and the belief that anything is possible."
