Holtz Children’s Hospital Teen Gets Birthday Wish Granted
Martrize Dean, better known as TJ, was recently surprised by the team of physicians and nurses caring for him. They made his birthday wish come true. Soon to be 13-years-old, TJ was able to spend the day at Dave & Buster’s at Dolphin Mall with family and friends after spending months in the hospital
He had been admitted to Holtz Children’s Hospital at Jackson Memorial Hospital in February for severe heart failure, secondary to dilated cardiomyopathy – a disease causing the weakening and enlargement of the heart. This came as a shock to the family because TJ was athletic and led a healthy life.
“This rare disease affects about 1 in 100,000 children,” said UHealth pediatric cardiologist, Paolo Rusconi, MD. “When TJ came to us, he already had several organs affected and had to be placed on the ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenator) machine to help the work of the lung and the heart.”
Although the actual cause of dilated cardiomyopathy is unknown, it can be brought on by common viruses. Shortly after the placement of the ECMO, doctors switched him to the HVAD (Heartware Left Ventricular Assist Device), a mechanical pump inserted inside the chest to help heart function.
“The advantage of this device is that it helps TJ live a normal life as he waits for a heart transplant,” said Dr. Rusconi. “For this child to leave the hospital is a big accomplishment for all of us because it boosts his moral and gives him hope for the future.”
As soon as the hospital staff found out about TJ’s birthday wish, they made sure to make this one extra special. The Holtz’s PediPals team, psychologists, physical therapists, and the City of Miami Fire Rescue crew that volunteered to transport everyone to the arcade venue, were all part of making this request come true.
“The PediPals team was asked to help improve his quality of life and hopefully increase his mental wellbeing in the hopes that this will aid in improving his physical and nutritional status,” said Kimberly Juanico, RN, Holtz Children’s Hospital. “To see his face when he realized he was leaving the hospital for a few hours, just to be a kid, made it all worth it.”
TJ is currently on the national transplant waiting-list for both a heart and kidney. For the team at Holtz, supporting TJ was crucial not just for his medical needs but his emotionally as well.
“There is so much intensity that goes into medical therapy, the emotional component is so important for pediatric patients,” said Miami Transplant Institute surgeon Dr. Nicolas Brozzi.
While visiting the mall, TJ played basketball, rode a motorcycle game, among other arcade games. It’s a day that both TJ and his caregivers that have been there through his journey are not soon to forget.
“It’s excellent therapy for him and excellent therapy for the caregivers as well,” said Juanico.
The chance for TJ to experience an improved quality of life, both physically and mentally, while awaiting the transplant, fuels the Holtz team’s optimism that he will make a great recovery.