Eloise Heals with Friends in Every Wing
Eloise is a social butterfly who loves to listen, watch everyone around her and even sneak a glance at herself smiling in the mirror.
At 35 weeks, Eloise was born at just 4 pounds and 3 ounces with a congenital heart defect called Ebstein's anomaly. With this rare condition, a heart valve did not form properly and limited her blood flow. Expert care at Children's National Hospital ensured she could receive enough oxygen and nutrients to overcome her scary beginning.
Eloise's favorite nurses followed her between the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) or Heart and Kidney Unit. "They are so excited when they see how much she's grown," her mom, Haley, says
The toll of complex care leads to good days and more difficult ones. In a particularly tough moment, Haley started crying. A nurse immediately came to her side to talk and make sure she was okay. "She felt more like a friend than a nurse," Haley says. "Even on the hardest days, our care team makes me laugh."
An additional procedure helped to moderate blood flow to Eloise's lungs. Her family is incredibly proud of her bravery and thankful for the comfort and healing they found at Children's National. While she rests and recovers, they already look forward to Eloise one day running down the field alongside her brother, Miles, for their family’s annual Thanksgiving flag football game. With compassionate care, Eloise's strong heart will be ready for a touchdown.
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