Meet Wyatt

Diagnosed in utero with a heart defect, Wyatt spent the first 8 months of his life at Phoenix Children’s. He was born at a nearby hospital and immediately transferred to Phoenix Children’s Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU). At 2 weeks old, he had a bad bleed and nearly died—his mom, MaryAnne, credits Jenna, a CVICU nurse, for saving his life that day.  

When Wyatt was 4 weeks old, his condition rapidly deteriorated. He was paralyzed and had to be intubated. His care team at the Center for Heart Care began to discuss a transplant, but he was still too unstable to consider that option. At 5 weeks, he had a Berlin Heart (a type of ventricular assist device) implanted to help him survive until a donor heart became available.  

By the time Wyatt was 3 months old, his condition had improved enough that he was able to leave his room and go to the CVICU playroom. “Going for a walk was a big deal,” says MaryAnne. 

During the wait for a donor heart, music therapy became an essential part of Wyatt’s routine. Every Monday, he and MaryAnne would go to the CVICU playroom to meet with music therapist Sara Jane Klaus.

For Wyatt, who had spent three months in a CVICU bed, the music therapy sessions provided sensory stimulation and allowed him to socialize, smile and be a kid. Thanks to the Therapeutic Arts Program—which is funded entirely by donations—music therapy was a major factor in Wyatt's coping and recovery, says MaryAnne. 

“The power of music can heal you,” she says.

Wyatt received his new heart about a week before he turned 8 months old. He was able to go home about a week and a half after the transplant surgery.  

MaryAnne describes Phoenix Children’s as “the family we never asked for but really needed.” She says that Wyatt wouldn’t be here today if not for Phoenix Children’s. “They saved our son’s life,” she says. “We’re so grateful.”

Today, Wyatt is doing well. “Apart from his NG tube, you wouldn’t know what he’s gone through,” says MaryAnne. She describes him as a “mama’s boy” and a happy, resilient kid who is “just living his life.” He visits Phoenix Children’s once a month to see the transplant team. He also participates in physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy to help him catch up on his developmental milestones.  

MaryAnne says that being the parent of a medically complex child teaches you a lot about yourself. “You find a different type of strength and resilience you never knew existed,” she says. She encourages parents of other patients to “trust Phoenix Children’s” and take advantage of the many resources available.  

“You just have to ask for what you need,” she says.