JUAN'S STORY

Baby Juan Gonzalez is not even a year old, yet he has endured a lifetime of miracles. He was born on October 29, 2004 in Whittier to Minerva and Juan Gonzalez. Immediately after his birth, his nurse was concerned about his skin discoloration, which can be a sign of a serious health problem. Not wanting to startle Minerva and Juan, doctors let the new parents hold their son before they brought him in for testing. Doctors attributed it to heart problems and they were right.

Juan was transferred to an Orange County hospital, where doctors used a heart scan to properly identify the heart defect - Transposition of the Great Arteries. They discovered that Juan's arteries were transposed basically, his arteries were in the wrong place and required corrective surgery called the Arterial Switch Operation. Doctors immediately ordered baby Juan's transfer to CHOC for care at the CHOC Heart Institute.

Like any concerned parents, Minerva and Juan were skeptical about bringing their child to a hospital they had never heard of.

"I had not heard about CHOC until we were referred there," said Minerva. "But, when I mentioned to family and friends that Juan would have heart surgery at CHOC, they had nothing but good things to say about the hospital. I felt very comforted and knew that our baby was in good hands."

As far as Minerva knows, there is no history of heart problems or heart surgery in her and her husband's family lineage. Baby Juan's brothers, Armin, 15, and Rene, 13, were both born happy and heart healthy, so his diagnosis came as a heartbreaking surprise. Fortunately for the Gonzalez family, the nurses at CHOC were extremely supportive and helped ease any fears.

"The nurses mentioned that the surgery is a routine procedure that is common in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)," said Minerva. "They were so nice and made me feel so comfortable."

Juan stayed in the PICU for six days until his surgery, and then spent another six days in recovery. His family, especially his older siblings, was anxious to get him home.

"Hopefully he can follow in our footsteps and be the next football star in the family," said big brother Armin. "Maybe even a quarterback."

Nevertheless, doctors cannot promise that Juan's heart will be 100% healthy. He may need future heart surgery, mainly on his arteries or blood vessels.

Juan's second follow-up visit at CHOC took place on December 8, 2004, and everything looked great. Doctors performed the usual check-ups, including a heart scan. Baby Juan is a happy infant and is progressing excellently.

"Since day one, the medical staff at CHOC went above and beyond their call of duty to take care of Juan and make sure that we were all comfortable," said Juan, Sr.

Minerva and Juan are proud of their son and how strong he has been. They are glad that they took him to CHOC.

They are also proud of the doctors and nurses at CHOC who saved his life.

"We are so thankful for them," said Minerva. "We will recommend CHOC to any parent whose child needs surgery."