Fund in Memory of Kloosterman Family

My husband and I were thrilled to learn that we would have our first baby in June of 2008. I had a wonderful & easy pregnancy. At 37 weeks there was decreased fetal movement and my doctor decided to induce. After 36 hours, Grady entered our world!

As I was being wheeled to my room the nurse told me they were going to run some tests on Grady in the morning because his heart rate was low and he wasn’t sustaining a normal temperature. I was assured he was fine. An EKG was done the next day and sent to the on-call cardiologist. We heard nothing so assumed all was fine.

It was discharge day. My husband ran out to a local café to grab some sandwiches to bring home with us. My Mom, sister, and I were packing up our things when the cardiologist entered my room. He asked me to please sit down as he had some news. He began to explain that Grady possibly has a condition called Long QT. He drew pictures and explained to me what LQT was. I starred at my precious boy and did not hear a word he spoke. My husband returned, I was crying and let him know a helicopter was on the way to pick our son up and take him to The Heart Institute at Hope Children’s in Oak Lawn, IL.

Our tiny boy was strapped on an enormous gurney as I signed paperwork that I have no idea what it stated. Off he went into a helicopter as my husband and I headed to our car. Our arrival at THIC was amazing. The flight nurse, Noreen was the first to meet us assuring us Grady was stable, fabulous, and getting setup in his room. Noreen shared with us this was her first flight the overwhelming emotions she felt. She shared as they took off to get Grady the pilot stated: “ five souls aboard”, as they prepared for flight to THIC the pilot stated: “six souls aboard”, and as they landed “six souls safe”. Noreen wept because: “all souls are safe and Grady will be fine.” I will forever remember this moment.

Our medical team met with us and described that the next few days will be observation days and we will make any decisions after Grady is evaluated. After his evaluation Grady’s team decided that they were certain he had LQT-1 and would need a pacemaker. Our trust was with our team.

At six days old our baby was having a full size pacemaker implanted. Surgery and recovery was nothing short of phenomenal. Grady has been amazing since! After genetic testing we learned that I am the index case. My father and brother have also tested positive and we have all lived our lives symptom free. We decided to have a second child, Blake, who was born in May of 2011. He also is positive for LQT. Fortunately, at this point does not need to have a device but is being closely monitored by our medical team.

Our lives have changed drastically for the good. We are aware not only of our own children but others as well. We have an AED that is always with us. Education and awareness is lifesaving. The SADS Foundation has been AMAZING to our family as well as our medical team: Dr. Ackerman, Dr. Zimmerman, Anne Freter, Dr. Ilbawi, Dr. Barth, Dr. Cuneo, Dr. David Saltzman, and all the nurses that have cared for our boys! Be aware. Be active. Spread the word!