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Rianne, Age 6 -- Myocarditis (Inflammation of the Heart)
When Rianne was five years old, she woke up in the middle of the night with a high fever and stomach pains. Although her pediatricians initially thought Rianne had a simple virus or appendicitis, her mother Rosa sensed that something was seriously wrong. Rosa rushed Rianne to Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, where it was found that her daughter’s heart rate was up to a dangerous 225 beats per minute. (A normal heart rate range for a five year old child is 75 to 115 beats per minute.) After pediatric cardiologists completed thorough testing and monitoring, Rianne was diagnosed with myocarditis, a life-threatening inflammation of the heart, which was caused by an enterovirus. Rianne’s health continued to deteriorate over the course of the week, leading physicians to believe she would need a heart transplant. When her oxygen levels dropped, Rianne was placed on a ventilator and she still struggled to breathe. But thanks to the expertise and vigilance of the pediatric cardiology team at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, the medications prescribed began to work and, amazingly, she turned a corner. A year after her harrowing journey, Rianne is now off of blood pressure medication, requires cardiology check-ups only twice a year, and keeps busy with soccer, ballet, and gymnastics.
To make a donation during the live Radiothon, the community can call (888) 499-5437 or make a secure, online donation at www.whud.com. Online donations are also being accepted prior to and during the event at events.westchestermedicalcenter.com/mfchradiothon. Also, community members interested in supporting Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital are welcome to visit the hospital’s lobby during the Radiothon. Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital is located on the Valhalla, New York campus of WMCHealth at 100 Woods Road.
