Nova’s Story
At 29 weeks gestation Nova’s parents were told that she had a condition called Complete Heart Block. This means that her Atrioventricular (AV) node which connects the top and bottom chambers of her heart was damaged and her heart rate was very low.
They were told Nova wouldn’t make it to birth and if she did, she would have to have a pacemaker. Naturally they were terrified but Nova was a fighter and as long as she fought they vowed to fight for her. Nova’s parents sought out specialist after specialist. Her mother monitored her heart rate daily using an at home Doppler.
When it came time for the C-Section and planned NICU stay, they had no idea what to expect or even hope for. They had been told she would most likely not breathe on her own. On January 24, 2018, Nova Grace Thompson entered the world screaming and wiggling ferociously!
One week after being born this little heart warrior had her first surgery to place her pacemaker. Five days later the family was sent home with a small incision site on Nova’s chest, and a baby they didn’t think they would have. They would be readmitted soon after for a 109 day stay, three additional surgeries and more tests than they could count. But this time, when they were sent home life felt natural.
Every chance they got they chose to enjoy the beauty around them. The family traveled, visited family, went to the beach, the zoo, and the aquarium. They had learned to appreciate every sunset, every hug, every smile. Life felt perfect. By Nova’s first birthday the trauma of her first three months was a distant memory. She was growing and learning new things daily. Besides the scar that ran down the middle of her chest, there was little evidence of the heart battle she had endured.
On March 31, 2019, Nova and her mother traveled from their home in Tampa, Florida to Georgia to visit family. The next day, Nova woke up sick. Her mother spent the morning snuggling with her trying to help her feel better. A few hours later mom was racing to the ER. Nova’s lips had turned blue and she was in and out of consciousness. The next several hours were a blur. Doctors, nurses and life flight staff worked tirelessly trying to save Nova, but it just wasn’t enough.
Nova was a fighter. She fought against the odds that were stacked against her daily.
Nova was a teacher, who taught those she came in contact with during her short life how to love, how to live in the moment and how to enjoy the simple things in life.
Nova was brave. She endured more in her 14 months of life than most people endure in a lifetime and through it all she smiled.
By telling her story, Nova’s family wants to let her light shine and let others draw inspiration and strength from her.
Nova’s story, and her family’s story, is the inspiration behind the SuperNova program. It is her joy for life that we are spreading to others who are also fighting for their heart health.
