“Throughout all his procedures and surgeries, the Cardinal Glennon team as a whole has been and continues to be invested in making sure Charlie has the best care,” Jean says. “The different departments all work together like a well-oiled machine to keep him safe. It’s never a question, they will figure out what they need to do to provide the best care.”
“Parents should never have to worry about advocating for their child and asking questions. It’s okay for us as moms and dads to not know something about our child’s condition or the care they are receiving, and ask. The team at Cardinal Glennon has always been ready and willing to answer any question we have. If someone doesn’t have the answer, they will find someone who does.”
Charlie will continue to receive care and monitoring throughout his 
childhood. They currently see their SLUCare Pediatric Cardiologist Renuka Peterson, MD, once a year.
“We’re doing really well,” Jean says.
Charlie is now 7 years old, and his mom says he is just like any other kid, adding that “if he didn’t have his medical ID bracelet, no one would ever know he was born with a heart condition.” He enjoys school, especially math, and playing soccer.
“He still receives physical therapy to help with his strength and endurance. But, it is amazing how self-aware kids like Charlie are. They run out of energy before some of the other kids, but they innately know when to stop, so they don’t overdo it,” she says.
Supporting Others On Their Journey
Throughout this entire journey, the ability to talk with other families who’ve been there has been immensely helpful for the Garcias. “The natural next step was to provide this help and support to other families,” she says.
The Garcia family is now actively involved with several pediatric heart organizations, including Mended Little Hearts, the Ollie Hinkle Heart Foundation and the Mighty Oakes Heart Foundation. Jean also helps support other heart families at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon who are following a similar path.
“Volunteering has been a reminder of how far we’ve come,” she says. “Looking back to the days when we were lugging an oxygen tank, and Charlie was so fragile. Those breathtaking moments of walking into a hospital room and seeing your baby after heart surgery are a lot to take in, and you can only mentally prepare for so much. We want to help these families during these moments.”
Life with a child who has a congenital heart defect can be hard. A child’s situation can change in an instant, and there is a lot of give and take.
“I just want to be there for these families, hold their hand, help answer their questions and be a sounding board to help them through their journey. To remind them there will be good days and bad days, and that’s okay. That’s how it’s going to be. As long as there are these good days and bad days, it’s a good sign that things are moving forward.”
