Health Care Home - Patient Story - Chloe

Chloe's Story
This story was submitted by Chloe and her mother, Rebecca.

I was born two days before my due date (my mom says we’ve been late for everything since!) and had some heart issues (AV canal, VSD, patent ductus and a mitral valve deficiency). I was a happy and pretty healthy baby, so was able to wait to have my first heart surgery when I was 11 months old when they repaired my heart. The repair went well (it was a Children’s Hospital in Mpls.); but I needed to have a mitral valve replacement four years later. I was a late walker (36 months) and talker, but I had sign language classes since I was one year old and used sign language until I started talking, after that I didn’t sign as much, because I didn’t need to.

I can check myself in when I go to CentraCare clinic, but they all know me there because I have been seen by Dr. Peitso since I got home from the hospital when I was born. I’ve been there a lot!! I had lots of ear infections, RSV, my thyroid quit working, was monitored for scoliosis, regular blood work to check my INR (that’s because I take Warfarin, an anticoagulant for my artificial mitral valve) and then all the regular stuff that kids come to the pediatrician for….

My mom got involved with Medical Home in the fall of 2005 and she says it has made a BIG difference in our lives! I have a Care Plan that is updated regularly, has everything medical thing a person needs to know about me – and a few other things! My mom says it’s great to have the Care Plan for when we are traveling, for our school nurse, my camp counselor, the specialists I see and it saves time in filling out those forms!

I like Medical Home because everyone seems to know what I need and they talk to me about my health – and that makes me feel even more special. I can get my monthly INR lab work done fast – because we have a standing lab appointment and that makes life easier for me and my family. I like going to CentraCare Women’s and Children’s – even if it means I get a needle stick!