У рамках ініціативи Lancôme та «Твоя опора» до Дня Святого Миколая вдалося зібрати 1 000 000 грн на операції дітям. Розповідаємо історії пацієнтів, які отримали шанс на здорове життя

From a Congenital Heart Defect to a Full Life: Ivan’s Story

Ivan’s mother learned of her child’s diagnosis — a congenital heart defect — at the very beginning of her pregnancy. From that moment on, she couldn’t feel true happiness. Every day was filled with fear, and she was terrified of doing anything that might harm her unborn baby. Every month, she went to her scheduled check-ups, silently praying:
“Please let it be okay… or at least not worse.”

Doctors and the expectant mother agreed on the most important goal — to make it to delivery. Once Ivan was born, doctors decided no immediate surgery was needed, but his mother was advised to bring him in for annual check-ups.

For 12 years, the family lived happily. Then, suddenly, Ivan’s health declined. His mother rushed him to the Amosov National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery to find out what was wrong. The diagnosis was devastating: Bacterial Endocarditis, a life-threatening infection of the heart’s inner lining.

Emergency surgery was the only option. Ivan spent over 8 hours on the operating table, where doctors replaced a valve and performed mitral valve reconstruction. He remained in the hospital for another month to regain his strength. Thanks to the doctors’ professionalism, Ivan recovered. His biggest worries soon became school grades and video game losses.

Five more joyful years passed — until one day, Ivan suddenly lost consciousness. Once again, his mother rushed him to the Amosov Institute. This time, the doctors explained that Ivan had outgrown the valve implanted during his earlier surgery in 2019. The valve had developed a high-pressure gradient and could no longer perform its function. The heart was weakening.

Another immediate surgery was scheduled. Ivan’s valve was replaced again — this time, the operation lasted 9 hours. What followed was another tough recovery period.

Doctors are now monitoring Ivan closely to determine whether he may require a pacemaker in the future. For now, the family is living its happy years once again, hoping never to hear bad news from doctors again.

Ivan often speaks with deep gratitude for the doctors who saved his life. He dreams of becoming a programmer and is already developing his own projects while studying at a tech school.

Huge thanks to Lancôme for providing the medications and medical supplies used during Ivan’s surgeries and critical care.
We are deeply grateful to Lancôme for supporting Ivan through the “Big Little Heart” project for St. Nicholas Day 2023.