Mile 16

Jules Tanksley was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) at 23 weeks gestation, a condition where the left side of the heart is underdeveloped. At just six days old, she underwent her first open-heart surgery at Manning Family Children’s, followed by a second complex procedure, at just 6 months old. These surgeries were critical in ensuring her survival and improving her heart function.

The medical team at Manning Family Children’s provided comprehensive care throughout Jules’s treatment. Their expertise and dedication were instrumental in her recovery, allowing her to go home after 38 days in the hospital. The support from the hospital staff helped the Tanksley family navigate the challenges of Jules’s condition. She has had three total open heart surgeries with her dedicated team of surgeons at Manning Family Children’s, with the last and final surgery being when she was 3 years old.

Now 6 years old, Jules is living her life with half a heart! She continues to thrive, proudly displaying the scars that symbolize her strength and resilience. Her journey underscores the importance of specialized pediatric cardiac care and the impact it has on children with congenital heart defects.