Faces of CHD: Zoe's Story

It is Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week. Each day this week I am sharing a different story featuring an amazing heart warrior. Thank you to all of the families who have allowed me to share their stories with you. These are the faces of CHD.

Day 5: The Story of Zoe Renée Fultz

After years of struggling with trying to conceive, pregnancy loss, infertility, countless day of heartbreak and tears... we learned we were expecting twins August 1, 2011. We thought this would be a perfect story ending, but that was not the case...

Our journey to be parents took us down another road of struggles and battles. On March 1, 2011, at 18 weeks pregnant, Zoe was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and Dylan with Down Syndrome and Esophageal Atresia. This was absolutely crushing and left us with wondering if there was any hope for a positive future with our children.

On March 25, 2011, at 21 weeks 4 days pregnant, we lost our sweet little boy. Our hearts were broken but we still had to fight for Zoe. I was unexpectedly admitted to the hospital with preterm labor on April 28, 2011. After countless days of trying to stop labor, Dylan was born peacefully sleeping on May 5, 2011 at 2:21 am.

That same morning I was sent to surgery to save Zoe from making a debut. We became a popular miracle at the hospital as labor stopped and Zoe continued to thrive. At 34 weeks pregnant and 8 very long weeks of hospital bed rest I was finally allowed to return home. This lasted exactly two blissful weeks.

Zoe decided to make a statement of her strength and was born on July 4, 2011. She arrived in this world like a little firecracker ready to battle for her life. At just seven days old on July 11, 2011, Zoe underwent her first open heart surgery, the Norwood, under the care of Dr Starnes at CHLA. After almost eight weeks of ups and downs she was discharged on August 25, 2011 to go home. We spend the next four months loving every moment as she continued to thrive and beat all odds.

On January 19, 2011, at just over six months old, Zoe underwent her second stage surgery, the Glenn procedure, again under the care of Dr. Starnes at CHLA. She had a spectacular and speedy recovery of just six days and home on the seventh day. What we hope to be Zoe's final surgery, the Fontan shouldn't be for a couple of years.

Graduating from "interstage" is wonderful and we now have a taste of what "normal" life is like. We cherish very moment with our daughter and are thankful that she is a part of our lives. Her smiles brighten our days, her giggles warm our hearts. Her half of a heart is more whole then we ever imagined.

For CHD week Zoe's family has decided to sell a heart awareness wristband (Pictured above). Their goal is to sell 200 of these bands! These are available for $5.00 each and will be going out by mail starting February 10th. All proceeds will be donated to help other families who face life with a congenital heart defect. Please help them spread hope and awareness while showing your support for their heart warrior, Zoe.


If you would like to purchase a wristband please email celebratezoe@gmail.com

To learn more about Zoe click here.