Izabella Hearn was diagnosed with a congenital heart disease while she was still in the womb

For bubbly eleven-year-old Townsville twin Izabella Hearn collecting beads is more than a hobby it documents her ongoing fight to live. Here’s her story.

Townsville couple Brett and Peta Hearn with twins Bethany and Izabella, 11, have a special reason to support Sweetheart's Day this Valentine's Day with Izabella diagnosed while still in the womb with congenital heart disease. Picture: Evan Morgan

For bubbly eleven-year-old Townsville twin Izabella Hearn collecting beads is more than a hobby it documents her ongoing fight to live.

Now with hundreds of beads, each one represents different medical procedures she has had since birth.

She could get one for an x-ray, an ultrasound, for having a bad day, an echo cardiograph, for preparing for pre-surgery or for having a super brave day.

Her medical journey began while still in her mother’s womb where a routine 20-week pregnancy scan showed she had congenital heart disease (CHD).

That was the start of the emotional journey for her parent’s Peta and Brett Hearn.

Townsville couple Brett and Peta Hearn with twins Bethany and Izabella, 11, have a special reason to support Sweetheart's Day this Valentine's Day with Izabella diagnosed while still in the womb with congenital heart disease. Izabella with some of her beads for different medical procedures. Picture: Evan Morgan

Not only did they have a child with a heart condition, but they also had to keep an eye on her twin – Bethany.

Eight babies a day are born with CHD, with the life-threatening disease claiming four precious lives each week.

Townsville couple Brett and Peta Hearn with twins Bethany and Izabella, 11, have a special reason to support Sweetheart's Day this Valentine's Day with Izabella diagnosed while still in the womb with congenital heart disease. Picture: Evan Morgan

On 14 February HeartKids will celebrate Sweetheart Day, a national campaign held on Valentine’s Day to raise awareness of congenital heart disease (CHD).

The impact on children and their families is significant and enduring.

HeartKids, Australia’s only national charity dedicated to supporting the CHD community, is encouraging Australians to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year by opening their heart to a heart kid and purchasing a special HeartKids Valentine’s Day card.

Townsville couple Brett and Peta Hearn with twins Bethany and Izabella, 11, have a special reason to support Sweetheart's Day this Valentine's Day with Izabella diagnosed while still in the womb with congenital heart disease. Twins Bethany and Izabella. Picture: Evan Morgan

CHD is a life-threatening condition that affects over 65,000 Australians for the rest of their lives. Individuals living with the disease face unique challenges, many requiring repeated heart surgeries and ongoing medical treatment and care.

The disease also has a significant impact on families and communities who support those living with this disease, often causing enormous emotional and financial stress.

After the initial scans revealed Izabella’s CHD the family had to quickly go to Brisbane in 2012 with the twins delivered at 36 weeks with Izabella needing heart surgery at the Mater Mothers hospital as soon as possible.

Peta Hearn said both and her husband would not have been able to cope without the support given to them by HeartKids.

“Every day we made the trek from Ronald McDonald House, which was our home away from home to see the girls when we would get to the Mater, Brett would go and see Izabella in

Townsville couple Brett and Peta Hearn with twins Bethany and Izabella, 11, have a special reason to support Sweetheart's Day this Valentine's Day with Izabella diagnosed while still in the womb with congenital heart disease. Peta Hearn with Izabella. Picture: Evan Morgan

ICU and I would go to the nursery to feed Bethany and then we would swap places,” says mum Peta.

In late February, Dr Sylvio Provenzano and his team operated on Izabella and put a 4mm shunt in modifying the left side of her heart.

“Brett and I found the day of the operation long, scary, and the emotions for both of us ran high. Being on a roller coaster was easier than the process we had gone through,” she said.

In early March the family returned home to Townsville to friends and family after being away for two months.

“We had used up all our sick leave and if we didn’t receive support from HeartKids and Ronald McDonald House we wouldn’t have been able to cope with the bills. We had meals provided, a place to go for a break from the hospital rooms and other heart families to talk to about our journey,” Mrs Hearn said.

Townsville couple Brett and Peta Hearn with twins Bethany and Izabella, 11, have a special reason to support Sweetheart's Day this Valentine's Day with Izabella diagnosed while still in the womb with congenital heart disease. Izabella with some of her beads for different medical procedures. Picture: Evan Morgan

But it has been an ongoing medical journey for Izabella and the Hearns with the twin having three more operations in Brisbane and now facing a fourth.

“We are due to see the cardiologist next month as she is due for a valve operation but it is all about getting her as big as possible she has always been a little battler and undersized for everything.”

During February 2023, the Hearn family is encouraging all Queenslanders to help HeartKids by purchasing a special Valentine’s Day card for $10 in support for families affected by CHD. Tell your sweetheart how much you care for them by giving your heart to a heart kid this Valentine’s Day.

Full details can be accessed here: www.sweetheartday.org.au/

Originally published as Izabella Hearn was diagnosed with a congenital heart disease while she was still in the womb