Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Our Latest "Feel Better Campaign" Recipient Undergoes Open Heart Surgery Today....In Style

We are excited to introduce you all to our latest "Feel Better Campaign" recipient, Carly Smith.  More importantly, we would love it if you would keep Carly in your thoughts and prayers as she undergoes open heart surgery today.

Carly with her cute little cousin
Carly is 19 years old and was diagnosed with congenital heart disease when she was just three days old.  Her condition did not require surgery or treatment as a child but, more recently, Carly has developed symptoms of shortness of breath, chest pain, palpitations, and fatigue.  After undergoing several tests, her doctors discovered that she now has severe aortic stenosis and regurgitation which is causing her heart to enlarge and not function properly.  This condition is extremely dangerous and the reason she is now requiring open heart surgery.

Carly (pictured on the right) with her family
How did Carly find Annie & Isabel hospital gowns??  She hates standard hospital gowns so much that she was determined to find a better alternative and, well, SHE DID!!  Here is what she said in a recent email to us:

"I hate that hospital gowns give you no modesty or privacy. When in the hospital, you are already put into many uncomfortable situations, but the gown just adds to that because you feel like you are exposed to the whole world!"


Since Carly is having open heart surgery, we customized her designer gown to include a telemetry pocket so the hospital staff can continue to easily monitor her heart as she recovers. 




It is especially hard to see a young person deal with such a tough diagnosis and treatment, but unfortunately we have had many teenagers as our customers.  While we wish that we would have no young customers, we are happy that our gowns can be a source of happiness for their difficult days.  We hope that our "Annie" gown will provide Carly with some comfort, style, and dignity and will also bring a sweet smile to her face as she recovers from her surgery. 

To learn more about our "Feel Better Campaign" and read about past recipients click the link below:

FEEL BETTER CAMPAIGN

4 comments:

  1. Wow! That is awesome, but I feel where carly is coming from. Dealing with crohn's disease, anemia, and other health issues. Being in and out of the hospital is a pain and being comfortable when able to walk to and from the bathroom is uncomfortable in those hospital gowns. I love the idea with the pocket so the monitor is still able to work. ~ From Sits Girls Saturday Sharefest! :)

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  2. Thanks for visiting my blog!

    What a wonderful blog, I will keep Carly in my prayers. I wish I had known about your gowns when I was having my son. Five days in drab was NOT fun.

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  3. Today is July 18th< how is Carly doing after her surgery?

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  4. Lynn...Carly is doing amazing!!! She had surgery on the 16th and got out of the ICU on the 18th and went home yesterday:-) She is still in a good amount of pain but doing great and her spirits are good. Thanks for asking!!

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