Taylor Colvin is 21 years old and has spoken out about what it was like to be half-hearted after she was diagnosed with hypoplastic left ventricular syndrome.
An open-heart procedure was performed on a young girl when she was just three months old. She has now shared her experience of living with only half of her heart.
Taylor Colvin is 21 years old and can’t run or walk. She also has difficulty talking and walking. However, she plans to do a tandem skydive, and will be backpacking across Latin America.
Taylor explained that while most doctors may not be supportive of Taylor’s way of thinking, they are often amazed by what she is able to accomplish.
Since her three-month ultrasound scan of her mother, she was diagnosed as having hypoplastic left side effects.
It leaves the left side the heart severely incompetent.
Taylor, who was only three days old, had an open-heart operation. Taylor also underwent another two surgeries at three and three months.
Cameron is pictured with the paralegal. Cameron says she will not let go of living life to its fullest.
Taylor enjoys adventure sports, such as canyoning and soccer.
Taylor’s earliest memory was of her first wake-up call after this operation. She had it at the age of three months.
Taylor shared that the three-month-old operation was one of his first memories. This is a rare, but common event in trauma cases. FEMAIL
“I recall waking up from the operation.”
These three treatments helped to rewire Taylor’s body.
According to her, “The left side of the heart pumps oxygen to your lungs while the right pump blood around the body.”
“I have only the right side and it pumps blood. The veins that supply my lungs are slightly pressured to pump.
Taylor, who was born in 2000 at the age of 19, was only a few years old when the operation took place. This makes Taylor ‘one the oldest Australians to have had the operation’.
Taylor believes that travel is an important part of her life. Taylor hopes to one day visit Latin America. Taylor can be seen here with an elephant from Thailand.
Taylor was unable by her doctors to get a diagnosis due to her rare condition. They have informed Taylor that she may need to undergo a heart and liver transplant.
However, there are still many guesses.
She stated, “They said to me they thought I wouldn’t have any children” and added that she might not live long enough for them.
After a life of freedom and adventure, Taylor attributes her passion for adventure to her mother Natalie
“Doctors should be cautious, because they don’t know what the future holds for me. We are all just playing it each day.”
Taylor has been able to work side-by-side with her specialist in order to accomplish the tasks she desires.
I am currently planning on skydiving. My doctors were hesitant to give me the go-ahead, but my doctor is willing to help.
It is the same for her desire to have a family.
Taylor, who is at the moment studying law, says that her father Andrew (right) has been supportive of Taylor’s adventurous lifestyle.
“I’ve always wanted children. Taylor said that he knew he wanted children since a small child.
It’s not possible, but I’ve heard it since the age of 10.
“But, my cardiologist supports me again. She has said that there is a greater risk of miscarriage, but she will help me work through it and make it happen.
Taylor was raised by her parents to be an adventurous child.
Taylor, three years old after her last surgery is shown here
“I can still remember my mom letting me climb trees after I was discharged from hospital.
“I tried to climb them before my legs could walk. Many parents of children in hospitals won’t allow their kids to do such things. They hover over the child, but my mother wanted me to lead.
When she was old enough, her family allowed her to ride on rollercoasters.
She said, “I would be next to the sign that says heart patients can’t ride, and I would grin, it would be the best thing for me.”
The pre-flight injection and medical grade stockings helped her to fly. Doctors also gave orders for her to stand and walk more often.
Taylor currently studies a double-degree at University and works as a paralegal. Her work also includes raising awareness for heart condition children.
Taylor said she tried to remain as healthy as she could despite the restrictions she had to exercise due to her condition. She is shown here volunteering in a South African game reserve.
She stated, “It is one thing for people to not have heard about your condition. Don’t believe me when I say that you cannot run, medically.”
It is one thing when people don’t listen and tell you what to do. Teachers and classmates tried to control me.
“I wanted to shout at them. No one understands my heart better than I. It comes down to this, I am aware of my capabilities.
“If I run late for class, I don’t have to just go there. I must also accept the fact that I will be late.”
She tried her best to be as healthy and happy as she could.
Taylor explained that while a flu or cold can be temporary in a healthy individual, it may take several days for them to get better.
Taylor doesn’t run, but does keep fit when she can.
She stated that she can run 50m, but it is only when I need to.
“I only do short, easy hikes that don’t involve climbing.
Taylor will now see her doctor team only once to twice per year. It is an improvement over the time she spent at appointments as a young girl.
“I needed to have a halter around my neck, and I was unable to take classes because of it,” she stated.
“I thought it was common – but then one day, I realized that it wasn’t.
Taylor has an older sister, and Taylor said that it was hard for them both as children because she could not keep up.
“We’d play tag together and we’d be so exhausted, she didn’t know why. That would have been difficult for her. We are now in a wonderful relationship.
Researchers from the Heart Research Institute believe that people suffering Taylor’s or similar conditions could still live to their 60s.
The Heart Research Institute scientists now think that Taylor or other similar patients could live into their 60s.
Rachael Cordina, Associate Professor, is embarking on the first ever longitudinal study of this kind in any part of the world to examine the possible mechanisms, timing, and trajectory of neurocognitive disorder.
Professor Cordina explained that people who have the condition are likely to continue living well into their 60s.
‘This group represents one of the costliest paediatric health conditions and is rapidly expanding, due to improved surgical and critical care – this has resulted in an unprecedented wave of survivors with poorly characterised and complex health problems.
It was all about their survival as children for decades. However, medical advances have allowed us to have an increasing number of patients.
“It’s amazing that I am responsible for looking after people who never thought they would live to adulthood.”