Gia Marie was born on March 5th, 2020, 3 weeks prematurely with Tetralogy of Fallot. At just 5lbs 13.5oz she was a warrior from birth. On her second day of life, she underwent a stent procedure to keep a vital artery of her heart functioning. After complications, on day four of life Gia underwent a life-saving shunt operation to stabilize her heart. She battled day in and day out in the hospital with many intubations, feeding complications, and vital issues. All amidst the Corona Virus pandemic.

After 59 days in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Gia was finally able to come home. Just 30-days after her arrival home, Gia was re-hospitalized to full repair for Tetralogy of Fallot. Due to her growth and strength, she was out of the hospital within a week. Gia’s scar is a beauty mark that shows strength, bravery, resilience, and love. Her Congenital Heart Teddy by WubbaNub gifted by a dear friend was with her from birth. As Gia approaches her first birthday, we couldn’t be more proud of her. We are forever grateful to the nurses, the doctors, the surgeons, and the PICU team at the University of Maryland Baltimore for saving our first-born’s life.

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