Caden’s story is one of resilience, courage, and the unbreakable will to thrive. Born in April 2023, Caden faced the unimaginable from the moment he entered the world. Diagnosed with Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA), Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), and Pulmonary Stenosis (PS), Caden’s heart wasn’t working as it should, and from the beginning, it was clear that he would need extensive medical intervention to survive.
Due to his pulmonary stenosis, Caden wasn’t immediately a candidate for surgery. Instead, when he was just two weeks old, he underwent a balloon atrial septostomy, a cath procedure designed to help him stabilize by creating a larger opening between the atria of his heart. This procedure was meant to buy him time as his doctors worked on a plan to help his heart function better as he grew. After this, he was considered stable and sent home to grow stronger, with his family by his side, eagerly awaiting the day he would be strong enough for surgery.
However, when Caden was about three months old, his oxygen levels began to drop. His medical team performed an exploratory cath and determined that he required a palliative open-heart surgery to help him survive. At just four and a half months old, Caden underwent his first major heart surgery—a VSD enlargement. This was an important step in giving Caden the best chance for survival. The surgery and his recovery went well, but in the weeks following, Caden began refusing bottles, a troubling sign that he wasn’t getting the nutrition he needed.
After several weeks post-op, Caden had a gastrostomy tube (G-tube) placed, which allowed him to receive nutrition directly into his stomach. With the G-tube, Caden was able to begin gaining strength and was eventually discharged from the hospital. But the next phase of his journey was far from easy. Over the following six months, Caden battled multiple respiratory viruses that led to him being admitted to the hospital time and time again for oxygen support. Despite the many setbacks, his fighting spirit never wavered.
In early February 2024, Caden was admitted for pneumonia, and after several days of IV antibiotics, he was discharged home. Unfortunately, just days later, on Valentine’s Day, Caden was admitted again with dangerously low oxygen levels. His oxygen levels had dropped into the 60s, and despite several days at our local hospital, his condition wasn’t improving. The decision was made to transfer Caden to his heart hospital, MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital, where they discovered a severely enlarged pulmonary artery that was compressing his airway, leading to the collapse of his left lung. It was then that the team determined the next course of action: Caden needed full heart repair.
On March 4, 2024, Caden was sedated and intubated for a procedure in the cath lab to plan for his surgery. The goal was to recruit his left lung, and after a few days, he was ready for surgery. On March 7, Caden underwent a 13-hour surgery—11 of those hours in the operating room. The surgery included a double root translocation with a LeCompte maneuver, an ASD closure, a VSD closure, and a pulmonary valve repair. To the doctors’ surprise, Caden didn’t require ECMO, even though they had feared it would be necessary due to his collapsed lung. His chest was left open for three days, and once it was closed, Caden was extubated successfully.
The road to recovery was slow but steady. Caden’s strength and resilience shone through as he gradually improved. Just three weeks post-op, and one week before his first birthday, Caden was discharged—an amazing milestone in his journey. His family was overjoyed to bring their little warrior home.
However, Caden’s journey didn’t end there. Six weeks later, he returned to the cath lab for a procedure to balloon his pulmonary artery, as there was still some residual stenosis. Unfortunately, the procedure was unsuccessful, and doctors are still closely monitoring his condition. Fortunately, his stenosis has settled into the moderate category, and he is doing well with no immediate need for further intervention.
Today, at 2.5 years old, Caden is thriving. He continues to receive support through various therapies, and though he is 100% G-tube fed, he is slowly beginning to eat more by mouth. This year, he was able to start half-day preschool, and his parents are thrilled to watch him grow and explore the world around him. Caden loves to play with his big brother, enjoys being outside and in the water, and has developed a love for singing songs.
Looking back, Caden’s family knows that without the grace of God, the love and prayers of their village, and the expertise of his surgeon, Dr. Minoo Kavarana, and the entire heart team at MUSC, Caden wouldn’t be here today. Through each challenge, they’ve seen how God has carried their son, giving him the strength to overcome each hurdle in his path.
Caden is the epitome of a warrior. His journey has been full of trials, but with each one, he has impressed everyone around him with his strength, resilience, and determination. He has shown that even when the odds seem impossible, love, faith, and perseverance can lead the way. His family is excited about what the future holds for him and will continue to raise awareness for congenital heart defects (CHDs) in honor of their incredible little boy.
Caden’s story isn’t just about medical procedures or setbacks; it’s about the power of hope, faith, and love. He is a shining example of the strength of the human spirit and the power of community. Caden’s journey is far from over, but if there’s one thing his family knows for sure, it’s that he will continue to inspire everyone he meets with his warrior spirit.
We are all cheering for you, Caden. Your strength and determination will take you far. Keep fighting, little warrior!
