DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.
DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.
DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

Interview:

 

 

Monique Neysmith

Educ. 203- 001

April 26, 2012

Professional Interview

 

**I interviewed a friend of my aunt’s. Her son, Andrew, is 9 years old and they live in Long Island. They are African American. This specific CHD, Transposition of the Great Arteries, affects boys more than girls.

 

Q: When was your son diagnosed and how?

A: At birth. When he was born his skin was a funny bluish color. His lips were almost purple. He had to be rushed out because they didn’t know why he was that color. I couldn’t even hold him. That was the worst part because I didn’t know what was going on, I was scared. (Long Pause) My other children were given to me as soon as I had them. I just wanted to know what was going on and waiting to hear from a doctor was the worst. I didn’t know if he was dead or alive. After a long time somebody came and told me Andrew was okay but still didn’t say what was wrong. About 2 hours after he was born I was told that he has Transposition of the Great Arteries and his pulmonary artery and the aorta were switched.

 

Q: What treatments/ surgeries did he/does he have and how often?

A: He had an IV with medicine to mix the blood that was circulating. Then he had a tube put in his heart to open a valve until he was ready for surgery that the blood can flow through. When he was 5 days old he had a surgery to switch the arteries and put them back where they were supposed to be.

 

Q: How does this affect his education?

A: He’s able to do everything in school. Sometimes he misses school to go to the doctor to have heart tests and physical exams to see if he’s having an irregular heartbeat or to see if he as a leaky valve but so far so good. He’s a smart boy and unless we tell people, nobody would know he was born with a heart problem.

 

Q: What are some of the challenges you, your family, and your son face because of this disability?

A: Um… There aren’t any challenges. Like I said before, nobody would know he was born with a heart defect unless they are told. I do worry sometimes that the doctor might say his heartbeat is irregular. All I can do is pray that everything stays the way it is.

 

Q: Is this a hereditary defect and if so, who else in Andrew’s family has it?

A: Nope. It’s just something that happens while the baby is developing. Doctor’s don’t know the exact cause. I don’t know how it happened. My other kids were born just fine.

 

                                                                       

                                                                                                  Mrs.Pauline Walker

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.