Heartfelt Care for Bobby
Eight-month-old Bobby loves to pull himself up onto furniture, explore his world and play with his three-year-old sister, Ana Maria. Bobby’s name carries a legacy of strength and resilience. His parents, Angela and Beau, named him in honor of both his great grandfather and grandfather, who lost his life in the September 11 attacks on the Pentagon.
At Bobby’s 20-week ultrasound, Angela and Beau learned that he had transposition of the great arteries (TGA), a congenital heart defect where the main arteries connect to the heart in the wrong way. There were concerns about his brain development because the condition affects blood flow. “It was one of the scariest times of our lives,” recalls Angela.
Prenatal cardiologist, Mary Donofrio, MD, FAAP, FACC, FASE, worked closely with the family to create a game plan. “From the start, we were treated with such patience and clear expertise,” says Angela. “The whole team went out of their way to make us feel comfortable and ensure that we understood our son's care and trajectory.” Surgery would be necessary right after Bobby was born. The family received helpful resources and connected with others facing similar diagnoses, finding strength for the journey ahead.
Within two hours of Bobby’s birth, he underwent a balloon atrial septostomy to improve blood flow. Two days later, Children’s National Hospital’s chief of cardiac surgery, Yves d’Udekem, MD, PhD, performed a successful arterial switch operation to correct his heart’s arteries.
He spent 13 days recovering in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit over the December holidays. The team arranged for Ana Maria to visit for a mini Christmas celebration. “The nursing team was incredible – kind, patient and always in touch,” says Angela. “We felt like part of the team.”
When Bobby’s condition stabilized, the care team moved him to the Heart & Kidney Unit. “Moving to the step-down unit was scary,” said Beau. “But the team eased our fears, providing gentle and expert transition between wards. As hard as it was, they made the journey as seamless as possible with their attentive support as Bobby healed.”
Today, Bobby is home and thriving. He attends regular check-ups with his pediatrician and is developmentally on track. He will see his cardiologist every year. “My son’s switch saved his life and gave our family the blessing of him with us for years to come,” says Beau.
The family formed a fundraising team for the 2024 Race for Every Child hosted by Children’s National. “I ran the 2023 race with Bobby in my belly,” says Angela. “After what he went through, we wanted to pay it forward and be a support system for other families. We want all kids to receive the level of care and compassion that Bobby received,” she adds.
At Bobby’s 20-week ultrasound, Angela and Beau learned that he had transposition of the great arteries (TGA), a congenital heart defect where the main arteries connect to the heart in the wrong way. There were concerns about his brain development because the condition affects blood flow. “It was one of the scariest times of our lives,” recalls Angela.
Prenatal cardiologist, Mary Donofrio, MD, FAAP, FACC, FASE, worked closely with the family to create a game plan. “From the start, we were treated with such patience and clear expertise,” says Angela. “The whole team went out of their way to make us feel comfortable and ensure that we understood our son's care and trajectory.” Surgery would be necessary right after Bobby was born. The family received helpful resources and connected with others facing similar diagnoses, finding strength for the journey ahead.
Within two hours of Bobby’s birth, he underwent a balloon atrial septostomy to improve blood flow. Two days later, Children’s National Hospital’s chief of cardiac surgery, Yves d’Udekem, MD, PhD, performed a successful arterial switch operation to correct his heart’s arteries.
He spent 13 days recovering in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit over the December holidays. The team arranged for Ana Maria to visit for a mini Christmas celebration. “The nursing team was incredible – kind, patient and always in touch,” says Angela. “We felt like part of the team.”
When Bobby’s condition stabilized, the care team moved him to the Heart & Kidney Unit. “Moving to the step-down unit was scary,” said Beau. “But the team eased our fears, providing gentle and expert transition between wards. As hard as it was, they made the journey as seamless as possible with their attentive support as Bobby healed.”
Today, Bobby is home and thriving. He attends regular check-ups with his pediatrician and is developmentally on track. He will see his cardiologist every year. “My son’s switch saved his life and gave our family the blessing of him with us for years to come,” says Beau.
The family formed a fundraising team for the 2024 Race for Every Child hosted by Children’s National. “I ran the 2023 race with Bobby in my belly,” says Angela. “After what he went through, we wanted to pay it forward and be a support system for other families. We want all kids to receive the level of care and compassion that Bobby received,” she adds.
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