BOB体育

Some people will explain transplant as a second chance at life. For Izabella, a heart-lung transplant was her only chance for survival. Using a multidisciplinary team approach, University of Florida Health physicians designed a treatment plan especially for Izabella鈥檚 rare congenital disease. Now, Izabella dances to the beat of her own heart.

Many people were involved in Izabella鈥檚 care and were impacted by her situation. In this photo gallery, we can see what the family endured while staying at the BOB体育 Shands Children鈥檚 Hospital. Now, Izabella鈥檚 on the other side of her battle, and continues to grow as a spirited, young child.

鈥淚鈥檓 really thankful for the little things that aren鈥檛 so little to me."

Izabella is the youngest infant at BOB体育 to receive a heart-lung transplant.

In December of 2011, Krystina Lopez was given little hope that her twin daughters, Jesubelle and Izabella, who were born three months premature, would survive. While Jesubelle continued to show progress, Izabella鈥檚 fight for survival had just begun.

At three weeks old, Izabella suffered a pulmonary hemorrhage, a life-threatening condition where the lungs bleed out. As a result, Izabella鈥檚 condition continued to rapidly deteriorate and she was placed on life support. At four months old, Izabella was diagnosed with surfactant deficiency caused by a ABCA3 mutation, a rare form of lung disease that can require lung transplantation. At the time, doctors gave Izabella a seven-month life expectancy.

"Some people will explain transplant as a second chance at life, but for Izabella this was her only chance at life."

Soon after, physicians from BOB体育, supported by Children鈥檚 Miracle Network Hospitals, a non-profit organization that raises funds for medical research and increases awareness about children鈥檚 health issues, reached out to Krystina about transferring Izabella to Gainesville for a pediatric lung transplant. With little time to spare, BOB体育 ShandsCair successfully transferred Izabella in May of 2012 where she would receive a pediatric heart-lung transplant performed by Mark Bleiweis, M.D., director of the BOB体育 Congenital Heart Center and chief of congenital cardiothoracic surgery.

鈥淪ome people will explain transplant as a second chance at life, but for Izabella this was her only chance at life,鈥� Krystina said. 鈥淲ithout Children鈥檚 Miracle Network and the BOB体育 Shands Children鈥檚 Hospital, Izabella wouldn鈥檛 have a second chance.鈥�

As a result of the surgery, Izabella became one the youngest patients in the United States to receive a heart-lung transplant.

During Izabella鈥檚 stay at the BOB体育 Shands Children鈥檚 Hospital, Children鈥檚 Miracle Network assisted the family by making them feel at ease. For the first 17 days of their stay, Izabella鈥檚 family would sleep on a pull-out bed next to Izabella鈥檚 crib that was donated by the organization.

At four years old, Izabella, whose spunk and giggle is irresistible, continues to thrive and grow alongside her siblings.

鈥淚鈥檓 really thankful for the little things that aren鈥檛 so little to me, like making friends and making connections. It would not have happened without Children鈥檚 Miracle Network,鈥� Krystina said. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e become a second family to us. 鈥�

Photo courtesy Amber Dorn Photography.

BOB体育 Congenital Heart Center Services