Annual-Report-2014-Compressed

CONGO FAMILY
As you watch 4-year-old Sara Congo play with
her big sister, Hailey, you would never have a
clue that she has fought for her life.
Joel and Karey Congo were living in Salmon
Arm, BC, while they were expecting their
second daughter. At their 19 week ultrasound,
the radiologist couldn’t see the heart well
enough. A second ultrasound showed Ebstein’s
anomaly, a condition where the 4 th chamber of
the heart forms very low and does not pump
blood effectively to
the right side of the
body and lungs.
Sara & Joel Congo
They arrived in
Edmonton one
month prior to their
baby’s due date.
Doctors decided to
deliver the baby by
cesarean section to
avoid possible heart
failure. Sara was
born January 16,
2009, five weeks early at 5 pounds 3 ounces.
The Congos were told about Ronald McDonald
House® Northern Alberta (RMHNA) as an
option for future visits to the doctors. At
the time, RMHNA was undergoing a major
expansion.On September 1, the family arrived
back in Edmonton for Sara’s second surgery.
This time, RMHNA was ready to welcome the
Congos. Karey said that until they met the
House, they had never really enjoyed Edmonton.
The opportunities from community donors gave
the Congos a chance to experience Edmonton
as a family. The tickets to the waterpark, the
rodeo, Oilers and Rush
games, and Fort Edmonton
Park gave them family
time with a change of
scenery.
Thankfulness isn’t the right word,
”
it’s
more than that. We are grateful.
-Karey Congo
Sara Congo
The House was a refuge for the Congos. They
loved making meals and the comfort provided
when groups came to prepare Home for Dinner
meals. It also helped connect them to other
House families.
It made a difference in their family life that as
Sara was critically ill, big sister Hailey’s needs
for friendship, community and support were also
met. There was always a friend for Hailey to play
with and something to do at RMHNA.
On November 23, Sara’s doctor came into her
hospital room and the family was told that there
was a heart for Sara.
“It was like the whole ward lit up. Prior to our
meeting, the nurses all knew that Sara’s heart was
available, but couldn’t share the news with us.
After the meeting happened they were downright
giddy, and it all made sense,” remembers Karey.
Open to read the full story
The Congos
arrived at
the Stollery
in the early
morning to
Congo Christmas Card
learn that
the surgery
had been a success. The family was home three
weeks post-transplant, just in time to celebrate
a quiet and restful Christmas together. It was a
relief to be home. They were anxious to enjoy
family togetherness.
Sara comes back to Edmonton for appointments
and procedures every few months. The family
misses their community of friends at RMHNA,
but are embracing their new life in Entwistle, AB.
“We are thankful most that God brought us
through it all,” said Karey. “And we are thankful
for RMHNA, the Stollery and all of the doctors
and nurses for their care. Thankfulness isn’t the
right word, it’s more than that. We are grateful.”