Infant on waiting list for heart transplant 7/27/2009 11:44 PM
By HALEY HUGHES Staff writer
Little James Kirkland Jr. has a big heart, but that's not a good thing.
The 5¬½-month-old is hanging on at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, waiting for a much-needed heart transplant because his heart is too big.
He has been diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, which means his heart is enlarged and weakened and cannot pump blood efficiently.
"His heart is the size of ours, and it has collapsed his left lung," said aunt Jessica Neely, who lives in Aiken. "He's living on machines."
The dilated cardiomyopathy inhibits his ability to eat and grow adequately so he requires nutrition through a gastrostomy tube. On top of that, a catheter in his arm reaches into his heart and pumps medicine; his little arms and legs are bruised from repeated blood draws and biopsies. He is on 11 medications and gets an injection three times a week.
"He's been through so much," Neely said. "He smiles, and it wears him out. Ten minutes and that's it."
Kirkland was born Valentine's Day and in March was rushed to Hillcrest Hospital in Simpsonville when his parents thought he was choking. He was then taken to Greenville before being airlifted to MUSC. In June, he was re-hospitalized after his condition deteriorated and has been there since then, biding his time between Cardiac ICU and regular ICU.
On the upside, he is first on the transplant list for children his size.
Kirkland's mother, Kayla, works in Greenville throughout the week and travels to Charleston on the weekends. His father James lives at the Ronald McDonald House in Charleston to be close to the hospital.
Neither Kayla nor James could be reached for comment.
Kirkland will remain at MUSC until he receives a transplant and will stay in the vicinity for a while afterward so doctors can monitor his condition.
It is likely he will be on medication for the rest of his life.
"We're trying to stay as positive as we can," Neely said. "We're staying in the mindset that he's going to make it. He deserves a change, and we're trying to reach out to the community."
An account has been set up at Carolina First Bank to help pay for travel and other expenses. The account name is Little Body, Big Heart. Carolina First Bank, P.O. Box Drawer 1546, Aiken, S.C. 29802.
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Posted by: Sandy Stewart On: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 10:19 PM
Comment Title: Cabell get's a heart!
My grandson was diagnosed with the same at six months, but received his new heart and August 26th at nine months. He and his mom and dad will be coming home to Savannah from Atlanta next week. He is doing great. A miracle will come soon. Read his story at carepages.com/iheartcab
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