10-year-old who underwent three heart surgeries before age 2 saved by text message

For many babies, their delivery brought nothing but smiles to their parents. But, the same was not the case for Kaydan Fisher. Her early life was marked by a harrowing struggle with a complex congenital heart defect.

Her parents were unable to hold her for the first six weeks of her life. “It was an agony that no parent should bear,” Demetric Fisher told Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital.

Kaydan underwent three major heart surgeries at a hospital in Jackson, Mississippi, all before the tender age of 2, according to KHOU.

“The doctors and nurses did everything they could to explain what was going on, but we were in shock, and it was all so complicated. We were worried that nothing would work,” Demetric said.

After the successful surgeries, doctors warned Demetric and her husband Cedric Fisher that their daughter Kaydan might require a heart and liver transplant in the future.

Dr. Avichal Aggarwal, one of her surgeons, provided exceptional support, even giving Demetric his cell phone number to keep in touch.

At the age of 6, Kaydan left Mississippi and moved to Children’s Memorial Hermann in Houston. When Kaydan turned 10, Demetric reached out to Dr. Aggarwal.

“We hadn’t talked in many years, but something told me to send him a text message to celebrate her milestone,” she said.

Demetric took a leap of faith and reached out, never anticipating the miraculous outcome that would follow.

Dr. Aggarwal promptly responded, introducing the transformative Biventricular Repair Program at Children’s Heart Institute, promising to change Kaydan’s life.

Dr. Jorge Salazar, another of Kaydan’s surgeons, now at Children’s Memorial Hermann, described the program as groundbreaking, available only at select global centers.

“For children like Kaydan who underwent multiple early surgeries, we’re essentially transforming their heart to function normally, enhancing their long-term survival chance,” Salazar explained.

“Unlike traditional transplants lasting 10 to 15 years, biventricular repair aims for a heart’s lifelong endurance.”

Putting their faith in the expertise of both doctors, the Fishers decided to travel to Houston for Kaydan’s surgery.

“Even Kaydan was on board,” Demetric said. “She said she prayed on it and felt that the surgery was safe, so she wanted to proceed, too. She even got excited and asked if she could call the hospital herself to schedule the appointment.”

In February 2023, Kaydan underwent a 10-hour procedure, after which she returned home to Mississippi with her parents, boasting a fully functioning heart.

Now 11 years old, Kaydan is thriving, enjoying a newfound sense of health and happiness. The family commemorated her birthday with a joyful outing to an amusement park.

“I got to ride the big rides. I love my heart!” Kaydan said.