Meet Frankie

February is Heart Month, a time to raise awareness about congenital heart disease (CHD) and the life-saving power of organ donation. For one family, this cause became deeply personal on October 26, 2023, when their daughter, Francesca “Frankie” Charlene, fell critically ill just days after birth.

Born on October 20, 2023, Frankie was a strong, healthy baby, weighing nine pounds and three ounces. She was full of life, eating well, and adjusting to her new home alongside her loving parents and big sister, Vinnie. But just six days later, everything changed. Frankie suddenly became lethargic, lost interest in nursing, and vomited. By the following morning, “her tiny body was mottled, her temperature had dropped dangerously low, and her heart rate was erratic,” her mom Caitlin remembers. Her pediatrician immediately recognized the severity of the situation and sent her to the hospital by ambulance.

In the emergency room, chaos ensued as a team of doctors and nurses worked frantically to stabilize her. Her blood had turned acidic from lack of oxygen, and her body was shutting down. After two hours, specialists determined that her condition was cardiac-related and transferred her to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. That night, the unthinkable happened — Frankie’s heart stopped twice. Miraculously, she revived on her own, but her heart was failing. The next morning, emergency surgery was performed to place pacing wires in an attempt to support her struggling heart. However, complications arose when a blood clot formed in her tiny leg, threatening the loss of her foot.

Ultimately, Frankie was diagnosed with Viral Myocarditis on set by Rhino/Enterovirus with Secondary Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Doctors clung to every sign of hope as they monitored her progress. At one point, her heart began beating in sync on its own, raising cautious optimism that she might recover without further intervention. But when doctors attempted to remove her breathing tube, her heart could not handle the strain. It became clear that a more drastic solution was needed. On November 22, 2023, just before Thanksgiving, Frankie underwent open-heart surgery for the second time in a month to receive a Berlin Heart, a mechanical pump that would sustain her while she awaited a heart transplant.

For the next six months, Frankie remained in the hospital, her Berlin Heart keeping her alive. Despite the tubes and wires, she continued to grow and thrive. She learned to roll over, babbled, smiled, and even began feeding again. Her parents and medical team celebrated every milestone, cherishing the precious moments amid the uncertainty.

Then, on May 20, 2024, the call they had been waiting for arrived — a donor heart was available. In the midst of unimaginable grief, another family made the selfless decision to say “yes” to organ donation, giving Frankie a second chance at life. She underwent transplant surgery, and on May 20, 2024, Frankie received her “Hero Heart.”

The journey has not been without challenges. Recovery has included biopsies, catheterizations, and setbacks, but through it all, Frankie has proven to be a fighter. Today, she continues to amaze her family and doctors with her resilience and strength.