Jen Ionno

“Our Journey is unique to say the least. We decided to grow our family in 2020 right before the pandemic. We tried multiple rounds of IUI during lockdown and then decided on reciprocal IVF. Ryland was born June 2nd, 2023, 5lbs 5oz, passed her congenital heart screening, an APGAR score of 8/9, and pediatrician thumbs up. Since she was born under 6 lbs she had to do a car seat study for 90 minutes before going home. We opted for her to do the study overnight so Renee could get some rest before heading home. During the car seat study Ryland’s oxygen fell below 90% and they heard a murmur for the first time.

At 4:30 am on the morning we were to be discharged, we were woken up to the news that she was rushed down to the NICU and a nurse would come get us when we could go down. Ryland was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome- Mitral Stenosis/ Aortic Atresia (HLHS MS/AA) and bilateral SVC’s. As parents we were not only hit with the surprise of “it’s a girl,” but now a surprise that is usually caught in utero during the anatomy scan. Our lives were turned upside down in a matter of hours.

Unfortunately, Ryland was not a candidate for the 3 palliative surgeries and a Heart Transplant was her only option. On June 10th 2023 Ryland took her first flight from Med City Dallas to Dell Children’s Hospital in Austin, Texas who accepted her case! Ryland has had 6 open heart surgeries in her first 7 months of life including: PA Bands at 10 days old, Norwood at 1 month old, Heart transplant with Left Glenn at 4 months old, Left Glenn take down to right atrium at 5 months old, and two back to back suture-less repairs to all 4 of her of her pulmonary veins at 7 months old. She spent her first 9 months in the hospital.

We have had our ups and downs and are forever grateful for the selfless act of another family for choosing organ donation. Ryland is a vibrant 2-year-old who is always happy. She lights up a room and has taught us so much! She has defied all the odds stacked up against her and continues to thrive. She loves to go down the slides at the park, visit the zoo, and play with her cousins.”