 sabel Curren was born on October 18, 1999. She was a
beautiful and happy baby with remarkably big blue eyes. We were naturally
overjoyed by her arrival and could not wait to take her home. However, shortly
after Isabel was born the doctor's became concerned that she was exhibiting a
slight breathing irregularity. They said it was probably just a little amniotic
fluid in her lungs, but to be safe they sent her to the neo-natal intensive
care unit for an evaluation. After many hours, a pediatric cardiologist
returned to our room and delivered the heartbreaking news; Isabel had been born
with a congenital heart defect. Her Aortic Valve, through which blood exits the
heart, could not open sufficiently. This condition is called Aortic Stenosis
(meaning too narrow) and Isabel's level of stenosis was critical. Additionally,
her mitral valve, the second valve on the left side of the heart, was also
stenotic, but the level of this stenosis was only mild. Naturally we were
devastated by this news.
 sabel was immediately transferred to
Boston
Children's Hospital, where the doctors more fully explained her
condition. Isabel's aortic stenosis was critical and needed to be treated
immediately. They could use a catheter to treat this condition temporarily, but
eventually the valve would have to be replaced. Although Isabel's mitral
stenosis was mild, its presence technically placed her in a condition called
"Shone's Complex", which is described by multiple defects of the left side of
the heart. Not a lot is understood about Shone's Complex, other than it is
commonly a progressive condition and is frequently not survived. The bottom
line was that her current combination of defects was serious but treatable with
the larger concern being the progressive nature of Shone's Complex. They
explained that if her mitral stenosis progressed, her prognosis would change
dramatically since it is very difficult to treat significant stenosis of both
the mitral and aortic valves in infants. The initial procedure was effective
and the doctors were optimistic about her prognosis. We brought Isabel home
hopeful that the repair would remain stable and that the mitral stenosis would
not progress.
 uring the next several months, Isabel's routine
involved very frequent visits for echocardiograms, ekg's, and X-rays. At first
Isabel's heart function was not improving as well as the doctors expected, but
over the next few months it improved significantly and the level of stenosis
appeared stable. By the time Isabel was six months old, everybody was breathing
more easily and the doctors were beginning to feel as if the dangerous
progressive nature of Shone's Complex would not be a concern.
n May
2000, during a routine follow up, disaster struck. An echocardiogram revealed
that the mitral stenosis had progressed at an alarming rate. The doctor's
painfully explained to us the significance of this unfortunate combination of
defects; the survival rate was not good.
 ver the next five months,
the doctors performed three procedures on Isabel. Although, the procedures were
somewhat effective at reducing the stenosis, the high pressure necessary to
push blood through her stenotic valves resulted in a condition called
"pulmonary hypertension" which became a very serious concern. This condition
resulted from the increased blood pressure in her lungs and made it difficult
for Isabel to breath, requiring the use of continuous oxygen. During this time,
Isabel grew weak and could not consume an adequate amount of calories. A
feeding tube was surgically implanted in her stomach so that we could
supplement her calories at night. Despite this, Isabel remained a happy playful
child. The doctors frequently commented on her happy nature and resilience and,
of course, her big blue eyes.
 lthough Isabel was making some
progress, her condition was very serious. Many alternatives were being
considered, including a transplant, when she tragically contracted a common
virus. In her weakened state she was not able to tolerate this mild infection
and suffered heart failure in the emergency room on September 12, 2000,
approximately one month prior to her first birthday.
n an
effort to memorialize Isabel's short life, we have formed "The Isabel Curren
Little Heart's Fund".
 This fund is managed
by
Boston
Children's Hospital, one of the leading pediatric cardiology research
centers in the world, and is used specifically for research in pediatric
cardiology. It is our hope that this fund will contribute to the development of
cures and treatments for congenital heart disease that will save the lives of
Children like Isabel. Today, congenital heart defects are the most common birth
defect, present in one 1 out of every 250 births and are the number one cause
of death from birth defects during the first year of life. Nearly twice as many
children die each year from congenital heart disease than from all childhood
cancers combined. Although many advancements have been achieved in the
treatment of these defects, much work remains to be done.
Boston Children's Hospital Web
Site:
http://www.childrenshospital.org/ |
 GRAND PRIZE
Weekend get-away for each member of
winning team at elegant New England golf or ski resort.
RAFFLE GRAND
PRIZE
Week stay at oceanfront home in Wareham, Massachusetts during
summer (winner chooses week).
BEST BOAT GRAND PRIZE
Weekend
get-away for each member of winning team at elegant New England golf or ski
resort.
3 INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY PRIZES
 Largest stripped bass by weight!
Largest blue fish by
weight!
Largest combined
weight
of best 2 fish!
*Many more prizes and auctions at
party!!!
*Boat or Shore Entries
 he Isabel Curren
Little Hearts Fund was established to benefit research in pediatric
cardiology at
Boston
Children's Hospital.
Boston
Children's Hospital is leading the effort in developing new treatments
for congenital heart defects which afflict thousands of children each year and
is the leading cause of death in children under 1 year old.
The fund is
in memory of Isabel Curren who died at 11 months old of an untreatable
congenital heart defect.
100% of tournament and raffle proceeds will be
donated directly into the Isabel Curren Little Hearts Fund.
To enter the tournament, just complete the
on-line
form below. $50.00 donation per person. Send checks or money orders made
payable to the "Isabel Curren Little Hearts Fund" to:
Scott Blagden
24 Circuit Ave.
Wareham, MA 02571
Or, scroll below for a
printable
mail-in
form.
Or,
mail printed
entry form (click here for printable version of entry
form).
Contact Scott Blagden for information:
Tel.: 508-291-7676
Email:
scott@scottblagden.com
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