Nolan's Story
Nolan Everett McLaughlin was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania on April 12, 2013, 6 weeks premature. While able to go home from the hospital with parents Corinne and Matt and big sister Riley, he started suffering from respiratory issues after a few weeks, most requiring admittance to the emergency department and to the inpatient units at Williamsport Regional Medical Center and Geisinger Medical Center.
Early in the day of September 30, 2013, he went to the doctor for typical cold symptoms and was then sent to Susquehanna Health's Emergency Department for further testing and breathing treatments. After having many tests done, an X-ray showed what was believed to be an enlarged heart. Following an ultrasound he was quickly transported to the Children's Hospital at Hershey Medical Center. From there he was sent to the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.
Nolan was flown to Pittsburgh on Friday, October 4. After several days of observation, Nolan was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy.
On October 13 he underwent an open heart surgery to be placed on a ventricular assist device (Berlin heart). The next day, he was placed on the United Network of Organ Sharing’s list to receive a new heart.
After 102 days of being listed, Nolan received his gift of life in the early morning hours of January 24, 2014. He is recovering at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. The McLaughlins hope to bring Nolan home in the coming months.
Follow along with Nolan's journey on his blog and Facebook page.
Early in the day of September 30, 2013, he went to the doctor for typical cold symptoms and was then sent to Susquehanna Health's Emergency Department for further testing and breathing treatments. After having many tests done, an X-ray showed what was believed to be an enlarged heart. Following an ultrasound he was quickly transported to the Children's Hospital at Hershey Medical Center. From there he was sent to the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.
Nolan was flown to Pittsburgh on Friday, October 4. After several days of observation, Nolan was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy.
On October 13 he underwent an open heart surgery to be placed on a ventricular assist device (Berlin heart). The next day, he was placed on the United Network of Organ Sharing’s list to receive a new heart.
After 102 days of being listed, Nolan received his gift of life in the early morning hours of January 24, 2014. He is recovering at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. The McLaughlins hope to bring Nolan home in the coming months.
Follow along with Nolan's journey on his blog and Facebook page.